Faf de Klerk completes shock move after accepting paycut

Sunday, 12 April 2026 at 13:25

bySteven Smith

Faf de Klerk will leave Yokohama Canon Eagles at the end of the season, the Japan Rugby League One club has confirmed.

⭐ Save us to your Google Favourites for nonstop RUCK content!

The double Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks scrum-half joined the Eagles in 2022 from Sale Sharks and has been an integral part of the squad ever since. Despite his influence on the team, his last two seasons in Japan have been disrupted by injury.

Return to South Africa

The 34-year-old will return to South Africa at the conclusion of the campaign, with a surprise move to the Cheetahs. De Klerk had reportedly attracted interest from his former club Sale Sharks, as well as several French sides, including Perpignan, before opting for a homecoming.

Cheetahs Thrilled

The Cheetahs expressed their excitement in an official statement confirming that De Klerk has signed a two-year deal.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Faf to the Cheetahs family,” the club said.

“He brings incredible energy, experience and leadership – exactly what we need as we push to compete at the highest level. He’s the kind of player who can shift the momentum of a match, and we know our supporters can’t wait to see him in orange.”

Decorated Career

De Klerk is widely regarded as one of the finest scrum-halves of his generation. A key figure in South Africa’s triumphs at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, his relentless work rate, tactical kicking, and defensive tenacity have made him a fan favourite around the globe.