![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/sport\/sport-135x135.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Former Ireland international Jean Kleyn acknowledges being on the verge of becoming a world champion with his native South Africa was \u201coutside the realm of thinking\u201d just months ago.<\/p>\n
Munster lock Kleyn represented Ireland under Joe Schmidt at the 2019 World Cup in Japan after qualifying on residency grounds.<\/p>\n
But, having been repeatedly overlooked by Schmidt\u2019s successor Andy Farrell, the 30-year-old was in June cleared to switch allegiance back to the Springboks before being included in Jacques Nienaber\u2019s squad for France.<\/p>\n
Reigning champions South Africa are on course to retain their crown going into Saturday\u2019s final against fellow three-time winners New Zealand in Paris.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019ve caught myself thinking about it probably too often,\u201d Kleyn said of his curious Test career.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a strange one because if you\u2019d asked me six months ago if I at all thought I had any chance of being here at the World Cup final playing for the Springboks, I would have told you you are absolutely insane.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll probably wake up when it\u2019s all said and done and think, \u2018was that a dream or did it actually happen?\u2019. It was outside the realm of thinking.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a fantastic journey for me. It\u2019s been an absolute pleasure being part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Cyc20-rKQWv<\/p>\n
Kleyn, who joined Munster from the Stormers in 2016, played five times under Schmidt in 2019, with his final cap coming in Ireland\u2019s 47-5 pool-stage win over Samoa in Fukuoka.<\/p>\n
His lengthy spell in the international wilderness allowed him to revert to the Springboks, a decision he feared may be met with a backlash.<\/p>\n
But the response in his adopted nation has been overwhelmingly positive and grown since Ireland\u2019s quarter-final exit at the hands of the All Blacks.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been absolutely inundated with messages from Munster supporters \u2013 obviously only after Ireland fell out,\u201d said Kleyn.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen they really came after us and said, \u2018listen, you\u2019re our second team now, guys\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe support was really heartfelt from a lot of Munster fans and it made it a lot easier for me because I thought it would be quite a negative reaction when I declared for the Springboks.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom my history with Irish media, I figured there would be a few negative articles but it was resoundingly positive, so I was really happy about that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kleyn may have to settle for a watching brief at Stade de France this weekend as he has been restricted to just one start during the tournament \u2013 South Africa\u2019s 76\u20130 success over Romania.<\/p>\n
His only other appearance was off the bench in his country\u2019s 13-8 Pool B loss to Ireland.<\/p>\n
While the Springboks lost that epic battle, they could still win the war.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously it was a pity for us the result didn\u2019t go our way but here we are in the end still,\u201d said Kleyn.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo-one really looks back and says \u2018you\u2019ve lost a pool game\u2019. They\u2019re going to look if you win the World Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were disappointed with the result back then but happy with where we are now. It was a fantastic game to be a part of. I enjoyed every minute.\u201d<\/p>\n