Kleyn, who played five Tests for Ireland in 2019, was cleared by World Rugby to represent the Springboks this year due to a change in regulations. He will pair up with Marvin Orie in the engine room as the Boks kick off their 2023 Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign in three days’ time.

Asked about his reaction when he received the call from Rassie Erasmus, SA Rugby’s Director of Rugby, to play for the Springboks, Kleyn admitted he wasn’t expecting it.

“I was as shocked as the rest of the world when I got the call,” he said.

“My journey (here) was a bit of a round trip because Rassie was the person who took me to Munster, and four years later he was also the person to bring me back. It’s a massive honour and an opportunity I could not pass by.”

Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman arrive at training a few days ago.

Speaking of the difference between making his debut for Ireland and how he feels about Saturday’s match, Kleyn said: “It’s different because this is my home country. It was a great honour to play for Ireland, but growing up I used to watch Bakkies Botha on the field, thinking one day (I could make it). Dreams come true, here I am, I didn’t think I’d get the opportunity, things change.”

Kleyn immediately grasped the importance of wearing the green and gold: “Playing for the Springboks comes with a big responsibility. The Boks give hope to a lot of people, so when you wear the jersey, the country’s hopes and dreams rest on your shoulders.”

With his Munster team-mate RG Snyman on the bench, Kleyn said if it played out such that they were on the field at the same time it would be a memorable occasion for the close friends.

“It is incredible to have RG here,” said Kleyn. “We are great friends and I’ve been learning a lot from him here to get me up to speed with the systems. If it works out that we can play together, it would be a special moment and a new memory.”

Canan Moodie will play his fifth Test for the Springboks on Saturday.

Springbok wing Canan Moodie was equally excited to get back on the park at his home ground Loftus Versfeld – this time for the Boks after he excelled so far this season for the Vodacom Bulls.

“Coming into this year was different for me because I attended alignment camps and I knew what the national set-up was all about,” said Moodie. “I’m just excited to go out there and wear the jersey with pride.”

Of the back three combination with Kurt-Lee Arendse (wing) and Willie le Roux (fullback) – the latter who will join them at the Vodacom Bulls after the Rugby World Cup – Moodie said: “I’ve played with Kurt-Lee a lot, but it’s great to have someone like Willie who has played all around the world and has so much wisdom alongside me.”

Commenting on Australia’s wings, Moodie said: “We won’t know who we are facing until they announce their team. But we’ve done our analysis, just as they have, and we know what they are going to bring, so we just need to go out there and perform as well as we can.”