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Springbok lock Ruan Nortje’s promising season takes an unexpected turn due to injury, opening a spot for Jean Kleyn as South Africa prepares for a high-stakes showdown against Scotland.
Springbok lock Ruan Nortje has had his breakthrough season in international rugby cut short by an unfortunate leg injury sustained in training on Wednesday, ruling him out of the upcoming test match against Scotland in Edinburgh.
The injury marks a disappointing pause in a remarkable journey for Nortje, who has rapidly established himself as a vital player for the Boks, filling the No. 5 jersey with aplomb since his first international start earlier this year against Australia.
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Nortje, who has been living out his dream as a Springbok, expressed just a day before the incident how grateful he felt to be playing at the highest level.
“It’s sad to lose Ruan to injury, as he’s had a fantastic season and really made a strong statement after injuries initially prompted his call-up to the squad,” remarked South Africa’s Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, in a press release.
“He certainly grabbed the opportunity presented to him with both hands, and we wish him luck with his recovery.”
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With only one international cap in 2022 before this season, Nortje’s rise has been swift and significant.
His performances in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship solidified his role as a dependable option in the second row, displaying skill and maturity that belied his limited experience.
Unfortunately, this setback means the young lock will have to delay further appearances for the Boks and focus on his recovery.
The timing of Nortje’s injury does, however, open the door for veteran lock Jean Kleyn to rejoin the squad.
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Kleyn, who has been in strong form for Munster in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, has the added advantage of familiarity with the team’s structures and a wealth of international experience.
“Ruan’s injury opens the door for Jean to make a return to the national squad for the first time this season, and judging by his performances for Munster since making a comeback to the URC, combined with his familiarity with our structures and being a regular in our team last season, we are excited to welcome him back,” Erasmus said.
At 31, Kleyn’s robust performances and experience have made him an appealing choice for the Boks.
After missing out on the Championship and Ireland series due to an eye injury, he has since returned to fitness and displayed solid performances, reaffirming his place in the selection conversation.
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Kleyn’s role in the Springboks' successful World Cup campaign last year adds an extra layer of reliability to the second-row options for the upcoming game against Scotland.
“Every game I play in the green and gold, I treat it as potentially my last,” he had said.
The absence of both Nortje and Salmaan Moerat, who captained the team earlier this season but is also sidelined with injury, has created the need for further adjustments in the squad’s lineup.
With stalwarts RG Snyman and Franco Mostert recently returning from injury themselves, the Boks have ample backup to maintain their usual dominance in the forward pack.
For Kleyn, this call-up is an opportunity to add to his seven caps for South Africa, complementing his five international appearances for Ireland, with whom he also has playing experience.
His selection brings additional resilience to the Springboks, particularly beneficial as the Boks face familiar UK conditions that Kleyn is accustomed to from his time in Ireland.
“He’s also played with most of the players in the squad and is familiar with the conditions in the UK as he’s based in Ireland, so he should slot in with ease,” added Erasmus.
Originally set for a Thursday release the official team lineup for Sunday’s game will now be revealed Friday afternoon.
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