Kleyn relishing ‘Saffers’ reunion

Editor

Munster lock Jean Kleyn is relishing a South African reunion when his Munster side tackle Toulon at the quarter-final stage of the Champions Cup.

Munster secured passage to the knockout phase with a 48-3 hammering of Castres while Toulon got through courtesy of a losing bonus-point in a thrilling 30-27 defeat at the Scarlets on Saturday night.

Of the South Africans on show, Toulon have four with JP Pietersen, Duane Vermeulen, Juandre Kruger and Marcel van der Merwe all likely starters.

Munster have newly arrived head coach Johann van Graan and defence coach JP Ferreira in charge who will imprint their South African flavour on the side and Kleyn and CJ Stander doing the business on the field.

“There’ll be a lot of Saffers there as well,” noted Kleyn whilst speaking to the Irish Times.

“I played a good couple of years with Duane Vermeulen [at the Stormers]. He was big role model of mine when I was younger, so it’s going to be interesting going up against him. Toulon are a fantastic side, very strong. It’s going to be a massive challenge and as always the fans will turn up, so we’ll make sure we turn up as well and we’ll pull that win through.”

Meanwhile, Van Graan gave his thoughts on a Toulon side brimming with familiar faces.

“I only saw a glimpse of last night’s game, obviously I haven’t spent any amount of time on them,” said van Graan. “I know Duane Vermeulen very well, he’s a massive part of Toulon. I’ve coached a few guys who play there – Marcel van der Merwe, Juandré Kruger, Bryan Habana… quality side, they’ve been doing pretty well in Europe over the past few years.

“They’re an unbelievable team and brand, we look forward to that game. A quarter-final in Europe, it’ll be my first, I’m very glad it’s here at Thomond Park. I’ll get a bit of distance from rugby now and enjoy it, get my thoughts in line and as a squad we’ll reconvene in a week’s time and go from there.”