The two-time Rugby World Cup winner has spent the better part of the past decade plying his trade in England and Japan. He is now back on home soil after signing a two-year deal with the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

De Klerk has already reported for duty in the Free State and has attended a couple of training sessions, although he has not yet trained fully with the squad. There had been hope that he might make his first appearance during the ongoing Toyota Challenge, but that was never realistically on the cards.

Mzwandile Stick, Grant Williams, and Faf de Klerk. Photo: Morgan Piek

A more likely scenario was for him to make his debut for the Cheetahs later this year in the Currie Cup, but even that now appears increasingly unlikely. With an injury crisis affecting several of South Africa’s leading scrumhalves, the Springboks’ halfback stocks have been stretched. As it stands, Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), and Morné van den Bergh (Lions) are all injured.

While De Klerk has played limited international rugby over the past year, he has been included in Rassie Erasmus’ Springbok squad for the upcoming SA A clash against Zimbabwe and the Boks’ encounter with the Barbarians in Gqeberha on 20 June.

The squad is expected to form the backbone of the group that will tackle England, Scotland and Wales in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban from 4 July during the inaugural Nations Championship.

De Klerk is also expected to feature prominently in Erasmus’ plans for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, which could well prove to be his swansong at the highest level of the game.

Be that as it may, De Klerk is now a contracted Cheetah, and he told OFM Sport that he is delighted to be back in South Africa and much closer to his family and friends.

“Yeah, definitely. I said to Vincent Koch earlier that tomorrow, when we fly home, I can fly to Bloemfontein and I’m home,” said De Klerk. “I don’t have to do another massive trip to get somewhere. So, the family’s happy and I travel less. It’s a win-win.”

Cobus Reinach. Photo: Morgan Piek

De Klerk added once he becomes fully involved with the Cheetahs, he intends giving everything he has to both the franchise and the Springboks. “Obviously, with the new club, there’s a lot that we need to do and build on that side, which I’m excited to help with as much as I can.

“But I think my main goal will always be to play well for your club and then hopefully get the opportunity to play for the Springboks. That remains the number one thing that I strive for. So, yeah, it does help, but I’m very, very glad to be back in South Africa.”

While De Klerk’s Cheetahs debut still appears to be some way off, his arrival has already created a massive buzz in Bloemfontein. Supporters are eagerly counting down the days until they see the energetic Springbok scrumhalf pull on the famous orange jersey and take to the field.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm