The year 2026 continues to serve up massive, life-altering milestones for double World Cup-winning Springbok lock Jean Kleyn. Following the conclusion of a highly decorated decade-long stint in the United Rugby Championship, Kleyn and his family have officially locked the doors on their beloved home in Limerick, Ireland, to begin an exciting new chapter in the English Premiership.
The towering 32-year-old forward is packing his bags for the historic rugby hub of Gloucester, marking the end of a legendary era with Munster Rugby that began all the way back in 2016.
A Heartfelt Farewell to the Family Haven
Taking to social media, Jean’s wife, Aisling Kleyn, penned a deeply moving tribute to their very first family home—a place that witnessed their growth from a young couple into a beautiful family of four:
“Officially off. Leaving is never easy. Today we are leaving our first family home. We are not just leaving a house but a place that built us as a family,” Aisling shared. “As excited as we are about our new chapter, part of our hearts will always remain in this garden and everyone we have shared it with. We are honoured to have a home and people so worth missing. Love you all. Bye, Limerick.”
Jean echoed the heavy emotional weight of the departure, paying tribute to the club that shaped his international career:
“Munster has been so much more than a club to me — it has been a family, a home, and a place where I’ve grown both on and off the field,” the Springbok enforcer wrote.
2026: A Year of Beautiful New Beginnings
The relocation to England caps off an incredibly emotional calendar year for the Kleyn household. Just two months ago, in May 2026, Jean and Aisling joyfully welcomed their highly anticipated “rainbow baby” girl, Elsje-Mae Kleyn, into the world following a long and fiercely brave in vitro fertilisation (IVF) journey.
Reflecting on their miracle daughter, whose name beautifully translates to God’s promise, Aisling expressed absolute awe: “We are absolutely obsessed with our little sunrise baby. She is everything and more.”
With a beautiful new baby in tow and a marquee contract waiting at Kingsholm Stadium with Gloucester, the Kleyns are ready to take the English rugby world by storm.
