Springboks veteran Faf de Klerk has made a startling confession about his international future, warning fans that the moment the magic wears off, he’ll walk away for good. The double Rugby World Cup winner, now back on South African soil after signing with the Cheetahs, didn’t hold back when describing the emotional stakes of his return to the national setup.
De Klerk, who earned his 60th cap against Georgia in his hometown of Nelspruit last year, was shockingly left out of the Rugby Championship and the end-of-year tour. But now, called up to the Springboks training squad for the upcoming doubleheader against the Barbarians and a South Africa A clash with Zimbabwe, the scrum-half says the fire is still burning — and when it isn’t, he’s done.
“It’s obviously an amazing feeling once again,” de Klerk told reporters at the training camp in Johannesburg. “I think that once you lose that feeling, you should rather stop.”
Sources close to the 34-year-old claim his return to South African provincial rugby was a make-or-break move, both for his career and his family life. After four years with the Canon Eagles in Japan and a stint at Sale Sharks in the PREM Rugby, de Klerk signed a two-year deal with the Cheetahs, describing the move as a “win-win.”
“I said to Vincent Koch earlier, tomorrow when we fly home, I can fly to Bloemfontein, and I’m home. I don’t have to do another massive travel to get somewhere,” de Klerk said. “The family is happy, and I travel less. It’s a win-win.”
But the road back to the Springboks lineup won’t be easy. Insiders say competition for the No. 9 jersey is fiercer than ever, even with fellow double World Cup winner Cobus Reinach sidelined by injury. Rassie Erasmus has reportedly brought in emerging talents Imad Khan, Haashim Pead, and Nico Steyn for the PE doubleheader, while Grant Williams is back to full fitness after missing crucial Sharks matches. Embrose Papier is expected to link up with the national team after the Bulls’ URC final against Leinster, and Jaden Hendrikse is also reportedly on track for a return later this year.
De Klerk, however, insists he’s not intimidated. “Everything I try and do at my club is to prove that I’m still good enough to be here and want to be here,” he said. “I was obviously very excited, and now the important thing is just to play or train well enough to continue to stay here.”
One insider told us that de Klerk’s arrival back in South Africa has electrified the squad, with veterans and younger players alike buzzing about his presence. “He brings a different energy,” the source said. “But the pressure is on — if he doesn’t deliver, there are hungry young guns ready to take his spot.”
For now, de Klerk seems unfazed, focusing on what he can control. “I’m very glad to be back in South Africa,” he concluded. “My main goal will always be to play well for my club and then hopefully get the opportunity to play for the Springboks — that will always stay the number one thing that I strive for.”
Whether that striving leads to another chapter in green and gold — or a sudden, emotional exit — is a question only de Klerk can answer. And according to him, the answer is simple: when the feeling goes, so does he.
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