Kleyn was called into the squad as a replacement for Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé, who sustained an injury during training ahead of the Scotland Test.

Having spent 10 months sidelined with a long-term injury, Kleyn recently made his return to action in the United Rugby Championship against Leinster. The former Stormers lock, who has also earned four caps for Ireland, is eager to seize the opportunity.

“It’s been amazing to be back in the squad,” said Kleyn, who spent a large chunk of the season on the sidelines with an injury.

“Personally, it’s about slowly getting back into it, and I’m glad to get this opportunity. It’s been good getting feedback from the coaches, but from a team perspective it’s mostly the same group of guys who all want to work hard and do well for the country.”

Standing at 2.03m, Kleyn acknowledged the challenge posed by Wales, despite their 11-Test losing streak. “It will be desperation – a dog in a corner is always a dangerous dog,” said Kleyn.

“We are definitely preparing for a big fight, especially in the first 20 minutes. I think it’s going to be tough going. We have plans. We have things set in place to deal with their threat and plans to make us more threatening. It is going to be tough going.

Ruan Nortjé. Photo: Anton Geyser

“They are a young team. They have a lot of youngsters who want to prove a point. If you look at the All Blacks, guys like Kieran Read stepped up many years ago and it was the young guys who pulled them up.

“It’s the last game of the season. They are 11 down at the moment, so they would love to finish the season by beating the world champs.”

Saturday’s Test between Wales and the Springboks at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff kicks off at 19:40.

Wales - 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Ellis Bevan, 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 James Botham, 5 Will Rowlands, 4 Christ Tshiunza, 3 Gareth Thomas, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 1 Archie Griffin

Replacements - 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Eddie James, 23 Josh Hathaway

Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Thomas du Toit

Replacements – 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Handré Pollard

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg