Rugby
De Jager’s return softens Kleyn’s injury blow─── MORGAN PIEK 10:02 Mon, 30 Jun 2025
The Springboks were dealt a fairly significant blow despite their emphatic 54–7 victory over the Barbarians on Saturday in wet and slippery conditions in Cape Town.
That said, it’s not a setback that’s keeping them up at night – at least not for now.
The Boks opened their international season with a convincing performance in what was billed as a festival match, though it certainly had all the intensity of a full-blown Test from the back-to-back World Champions.
But the win didn’t come without a cost. World Cup winner Jean Kleyn has been ruled out with an undisclosed injury. The Munster lock is already en route back to Ireland for treatment and will miss both upcoming Tests against Italy, as well as the one-off encounter against Georgia.
Jean Kleyn. Photo: X
Kleyn had put in a solid shift over the weekend and looked in excellent shape, so his absence will no doubt be felt. On the upside, the match marked the long-awaited return of former Cheetahs stalwart Lood de Jager, and he was nothing short of phenomenal.
It was De Jager’s first match in nearly two years, but you wouldn’t have known it. He slotted seamlessly back into the Bok engine room.
Due to the depth in the Springboks’ second row, they have opted not to call up a replacement for Kleyn at this stage.
After the match at Cape Town Stadium, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was full of praise for De Jager’s comeback. Not long ago, the towering lock came dangerously close to hanging up his boots for good.
“The condition he had was almost career-ending. When we did the fitness testing about three weeks ago – not the medical tests – he was exceptional,” Erasmus explained.
“His body might be 32 or 33, but he’s had two or three years of rest over the past few seasons, and I think that showed.
“I also thought Jean Kleyn went deep into the game and played really well. We’re very glad Lood came through it, and we’ve now got some nice depth at lock.
Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, and Pieter-Steph du Toit. Photo: X
“But you know, Lood is experienced. He’s got a cool head. He’s a student of the game. In fact, he was vice-captain today – so yes, we’re very pleased with his return.
“Overall, it was a satisfying performance. It was a good hit-out, but now the real Test matches start next week.”
Erasmus will announce his squad for the first Test against Italy in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Saturday’s clash against the Azzurri – the Boks’ first official Test of the season – kicks off at 17:10 at Loftus Versfeld.
