Munster have confirmed the signing of Jean Kleyn from the Stormers on a three-year contract.
Weighing in at 118kg and standing at 6-foot-8, the 22-year-old South African made a name for himself as a teenager at Western Province before emerging as a standout Super Rugby talent with the Stormers, for whom he made 18 appearances (with just one arriving this season due to a wrist injury picked up early in the campaign.
Kleyn joins his former defence coach Jacques Nienaber at Munster, and is 'Rassie' Erasmus' first signing since arriving at Munster at the beginning of the summer.
Erasmus said:
Jean is a hugely exciting prospect and a great addition to the province. I’ve seen his development first hand and with Jacques’ extensive knowledge of him we are all up to speed on how Jean can contribute to the squad. A naturally athletic player we believe he will add further value to the pack and we look forward to welcoming him to Munster.
Kleyn will be eligible to play for Ireland in three years' time, at the age of just 25 - this presuming he remains at Munster or another Irish province at the end of his current contract.
