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‘There’s a similar mindset at Gloucester to South Africa – and we’ve got amazing talent’: Giant Springbok lock JEAN KLEYN on choosing the West Country revolution over lucrative options elsewhere and forcing his way back into Rassie Erasmus’ squad

'I love to scrum. I love to maul. I love to tackle. I pretty much fall into that cookie cutter. The physical parts of the game interest me more than your showy stuff on the edges.'

By NIK SIMON · Daily Mail

Published: Friday, 2 October 2026 at 11:12 AM

Key Things to Know

Jean Kleyn chose joining Gloucester over lucrative moves to Japan, targeting a recall to South Africa's national squad.
Kleyn compared Gloucester's work ethic and cultural rebuild to Rassie Erasmus's team-first environment with the Springboks.
Gloucester opened their Premiership campaign with an impressive 45-24 victory away against Exeter.

The Story in 60 Seconds

South Africa lock Jean Kleyn revealed he chose joining Gloucester over lucrative offers in Japan to embrace the club's new cultural rebuild. Following Gloucester's 45-24 opening-round Premiership win over Exeter, the 2023 World Cup winner noted strong similarities between the work ethic instilled by Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus and the emerging environment under Gloucester head coach George Skivington.

Kleyn spent a decade at Munster before agreeing to a three-year contract in the West Country alongside new signings Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan. After missing international action due to a torn bicep tendon, Kleyn aims to use strong performances at Gloucester to earn a recall to the Springboks squad ahead of upcoming autumn fixtures.

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