Springboks giddy over Jean Kleyn no-brainer using new rule SA actually voted against

Strong Cape Town (and Limerick) ties made it a no-brainer for the Springboks to pounce on Jean Kleyn's newfound availability for the country of his birth.

The 29-year-old second rower, who was a powerful presence for Munster in their URC-winning campaign, has been the most eye-catching selection for South Africa in the build-up towards their World Cup defence in France, specifically because he's the beneficiary of World Rugby's new eligibility laws that mostly benefit the Pacific Islanders.

Given the meticulous nature of Springbok selection in general - some players attend national alignment camps for years without necessarily playing regularly - the very real possibility of Kleyn making his debut as early as the Rugby Championship opener against Australia at Loftus in two weeks is an anomaly of sorts.

However, he's a grizzled and experienced exponent who has played five Tests for Ireland, too.

And, of course, he's very much familiar with the core of the Bok squad. 

"If you look at it, Jean - from a players' point of view - he knows the majority of his teammates in this group," said national coach Jacques Nienaber.

"He was a Stormer, which means he played alongside Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff and Bongi Mbonambi and has built a rapport with them. They trust him and he trusts them. In terms of that, it makes it quite easy to incorporate him immediately."

In turn, Nienaber and Co. are well versed in what Kleyn brings to the table too.

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"From a coaching perspective, we're in a similar boat. We coached him at the Stormers and at Munster. Rassie bought him specifically when we were in Ireland. We know what