Munster lock Jean Kleyn to make Springboks debut against Australia

Former Ireland and current Munster lock Jean Kleyn will make his South Africa debut on Saturday after being named in the Springboks team to face Australia in their Castle Lager Rugby Championship opener.

The abrasive second row played five times in all for Ireland after becoming qualified through the residency rule and was selected by Joe Schmidt in the 2019 World Cup squad.

He was recently named in South Africa's training squad ahead of the shortened Rugby Championship campaign pending the outcome of an application filed by SA Rugby.

World Rugby approved his eligibility to play for his native country having gone more than three years since his last Test appearance.

Munster team-mate and 2019 World Cup winner RG Snyman is named among the replacements.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has opted to start Kleyn for Saturday’s clash with the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld, with out-half Marnie Libbok and flanker Marco van Staden making their first starts for their country having previously appeared off the bench.

Former Ulster Number 8 Duane Vermuelen will skipper the side.

Vermeulen, who captained the Springboks against Argentina and the All Blacks in 2019, takes over the captaincy from the injured Siya Kolisi and completes a powerful loose trio with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Van Staden

South Africa have also named 14 players to depart early for New Zealand, with their second game a week later spanning 12,000km and 10 time zones.

South Africa team: Willie le Roux; Canan Moodie, Lukhanyo Am; Andre Esterhuizen, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe; Jean Kleyn, Marvin Orie; Marco van Staden, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen (captain).

Replacements: Joseph Dweba, Thomas du Toit, Vincent