The loss of Faf de Klerk….

….has gone pretty much without Board comment. Surprising given he has been the pivotal player in the box kick strategy. Poor lad kicked so much it did in his hip in it seems.

Faf is a factor almost every minute of every game…..harassing the opposition, or executing the Bok  plan. Frequently involved in handbags, trying to keep oppo ball after the whistle and just generally being a gadfly.

Reinach is a very different player with his own attributes, but he doesn’t get to the ball as promptly as Faf nor is he the overt competitor Faf is. It will be interesting to get a handle on exactly what Faf means to the Boks.

I was surprised to see that no-one was really talking about this here. 

He’s out for five months so it’s quite a significant amount of time. 

Sale fans are not happy. 

Yes I was wondering why he did not play this past week-end for Sale as I was under the impression that he was rested after the BL and the test against Oz, NZ and the Pumas.

Now could be the time to get that Sharks #9 into the Bok EOTY trip and allow him to get some experience at international level after the brief game time that he got in gaining his first cap.

Trust that FAf's operation goes well and that he makes a full recovery as he is our #1 scrumhalf. 

Nienaber and Rassie...

I haven't been that impressed by Faf. He had about one genuinely good game thus far. Reinach has been more accurate with the boot and pass and been a much more effective threat around the fringes. Where Faf really used to shine was his aggresssion and pressure game. When Faf plays like that, it really sets the tone for the defensive line and puts the oppositio on the on the backfoot. I was watching some 2018 tests, and he looked fitter. The Boks as a whole looked fitter. 

We’ve now lost Anthony Watson and Luke Cowan-Dickie for the entire Autumn tests. Not good news ! 

One of Faf's big strengths is his presence. Not something normally said about small guys like him but I really think that it's true for shampoo boy. Teams have to have more plans to play against him than any other 9 we have. That's a big plus for us and particularly so when those plans don't often succeed. For me, Jantjies is his natural successor.

If anything, it's surprising that Faf isn't injured more considering the guy seems to have zero sense of self-preservation.

"If an ything, it's surprising that Faf isn't injured more considering the guy seems to have zero sense of self-preservation."

LMAO, ain't that the truth

Faf is a unique type of player, sometimes very predictable, sometimes the very opposite.

Nuggety, bold and a likeable and popular player. He definitely has his own stamp.

Reminds of another scrumhalf that I favoured but we sadly overlooked at the right time. Rory Kocko tt. These types are the scrummies that make rugby.

Hope he recovers.

Why not bringing Fourie du Preez back? Too old? Maybe but with other oldies making successful returns, why not give Fourie a call?

Howzit Blikkies, wil jy nou vir Maaik 'n oorval gee?

Precence and defence are aspects of his game the our other 9's don't offer at anywhere neer the same level. He will be missed on the EOYT. I can't wait to get into live games to support the Boks.

Faf was not better than Reinach this year.