After nearly ten years of plying his trade on foreign shores, Faf de Klerk's return to the heart of South African rugby isn't just a homecoming—it's a reignition of his passion for the game. The scrumhalf, with two World Cup titles under his belt, is back and buzzing in the Springbok camp, ready to prove that his rugby flame is far from flickering out.
"It’s an amazing feeling," De Klerk expressed, his enthusiasm undiminished by time or travel.
"Once you lose that feeling, you should probably stop playing."
Now 34, the veteran has had stints in England and Japan but recently signed with the Cheetahs, bringing him closer to home—Bloemfontein to be exact. "Tomorrow when we fly home, I can fly to Bloemfontein and be home," he noted, relieved at the prospect of less travel and more family time. "The family’s happy and I travel less. It’s a win-win."Despite the geographical shifts, De Klerk's ambitions remain steadfast. "My goal is always to play well for my club and hopefully earn the opportunity to play for the Springboks," he stated, pinpointing national representation as his ultimate pursuit. His role in the Springboks' recent successes under coach Erasmus has been pivotal, and he’s eager to maintain that impact. "Everything I do at my club is about showing I’m still good enough to be here," said De Klerk, who was thrilled when the call to rejoin the national team came.
The scrumhalf landscape within the Boks is currently marred by injuries, with players like Cobus Reinach, Morné van den Berg, and Jaden Hendrikse sidelined. De Klerk finds himself in the mix at a recent training camp with fellow No. 9s Grant Williams, Imad Khan, Haashim Pead, and Nico Steyn, all vying to stake their claim. As the dust settles on these intense sessions, Faf de Klerk stands out not merely as a seasoned player but as a fired-up competitor who sees every match as a chance to stoke his undying love for the game.