Springbok lock Jean Kleyn said on Monday they were preparing for an epic encounter against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday in their penultimate match before launching their Rugby World Cup title defence in France.
The team touched down in Cardiff on Sunday evening and immediately got down to business on Monday with a series of team meetings, as well as a gym and field training session.
Kleyn, who has faced some of the Welsh players before in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, expected an equally testing encounter.
“They have good individual players and when you bring them all together under a coach like Warren Gatland, they form a quality team,” said Kleyn.
“They come off a good win at home against England and a tight away defeat, so we are impressed by them and we know we are in for a tough outing.”
Kleyn shot down suggestions that this clash was merely a preparation match for the World Cup and said: “As players we don’t look at any match as a warm-up game. For us, every weekend is the biggest match of your life because you are representing your country.”
Kleyn said his selection for the World Cup squad, after featuring in the 2019 spectacle for Ireland, was an opportunity he cherished.
“It didn’t even cross my mind that I could play in this World Cup,” said Kleyn.
“I incidentally told a friend a while ago that I was finished with international rugby, as that was the reality then, and I had accepted it.
“I didn’t think that there were prospects of playing for the Springboks, so when I received the call from Rassie (Erasmus – SA Rugby Director of Rugby), it was an opportunity I certainly didn’t plan to turn down.
“I’m proud to be representing the national team and to be part of something so special.”