Bok lock braced to battle 'cornered dogs'

11/20/2024 11:17 AM

Preparing for his first Test since the World Cup final, Jean Kleyn knows the Springboks are in for an armwrestle against a desperate Wales outfit in Cardiff on Saturday.

Fit-again Kleyn will add his experience to a powerful Bok pack as the world champions look to end the year off on a high in their final Test of the 2024 campaign at the Principality Stadium.

However, the Munster veteran is wary of a Wales side that is staring down the barrel of a winless season following their record-breaking 11th consecutive defeat in last weekend’s clash against Australia.

A defeat to the Springboks on Saturday will leave Warren Gatland’s charges without a win in a calendar year, a first for Wales since 1937.

“Desperation, hey,” Kleyn answered, when asked what the Boks expect from their opponents.

“A dog in a corner is always a dangerous dog. We are definitely preparing for a big fight, especially in the first 20 minutes. I think it’s going to be tough going.

“We have plans. We have things set in place to deal with their threat and plans to make us more threatening. It is going to be tough going.

“They are a young team. They have a lot of youngsters who want to prove a point. If you look at the All Blacks, guys like Kieran Read stepped up many years ago and it was the young guys who pulled them up.

“It’s the last game of the season. They are 11 down at the moment, so they would love to finish the season by beating the world champs.”

Saturday’s clash will be Kleyn’s first game in the green and gold since he put in a powerful shift off the bench in the World Cup final triumph over the All Blacks last year.

The 31-year-old, who spent a lengthy period on the sidelines with an eye injury, was called up to the squad as a replacement for Ruan Nortje, who suffered a leg injury before the first match against Scotland in Edinburgh.

“It’s amazing. I was injured for around 10-and-a-half months. It was slow getting back into it. It took me a few games,” Kleyn said.

“I’m glad to have the opportunity again and to be back with the boys. It feels like yesterday. It’s good.”

Kleyn was excited about the opportunity to work with the new additions to the Springbok coaching team in Jerry Flannery and Tony Brown.

"I know Jerry from Munster, where he also worked with Rassie at a point, and Tony is a good guy and coach, and he has a nice open mindset when it comes to attack," he said. "The boys are playing exciting rugby at the moment, so I’m glad to be part of it."

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

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