Faf de Klerk has made his intentions clear after slipping out of the Springboks squad, with the double World Cup winner refusing to give up on another shot at rugby’s biggest prize.
The experienced scrum-half has insisted retirement is not on his mind as he targets a place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
De Klerk, 34, returned to South African rugby this year after signing a two-year deal with the Cheetahs following four seasons in Japan.
However, his place in Rassie Erasmus’ Springbok plans is far from guaranteed.
The 60-cap star returned to the Bok set-up earlier this year and came off the bench against the Barbarians, scoring a try in an 80-31 victory.
He was then left out of South Africa’s Nations Championship squad as Erasmus continued to explore his options ahead of the World Cup.
De Klerk makes retirement decision
Despite his age and increased competition for the number nine shirt, De Klerk has made it clear that his move back to South Africa was not the beginning of a farewell tour.
Speaking after joining the Cheetahs, he dismissed suggestions that he had returned home to wind down his career.
The scrum-half still has the 2027 World Cup firmly in his sights.
“I am fully going for that spot,” De Klerk said when discussing his World Cup ambitions.
He added that his immediate priority was performing for the Cheetahs, explaining that club form remains his route back into the international side.
De Klerk has also previously spoken openly about when he believes the time will come to walk away.
Discussing the feeling of representing South Africa again earlier this year, he said: “Once you lose that amazing feeling, you should rather stop.”
For now, that feeling clearly remains.
Huge competition for Springbok place
De Klerk faces a major battle to force his way back into Erasmus’ plans.
South Africa have built impressive depth at scrum-half, with the Springbok coaches using several options as they build towards Australia 2027.
Erasmus explained when De Klerk was omitted earlier this year that the decision did not necessarily signal the end of his international career.
Instead, the Springboks wanted opportunities to assess other players before selecting their World Cup squad.
That leaves the door open for De Klerk, who was a central figure in South Africa’s back-to-back World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023.
One more World Cup?
De Klerk will be 35 when the 2027 Rugby World Cup begins in Australia.
Making the squad would give him the opportunity to win the Webb Ellis Cup for an extraordinary third successive tournament.
His Cheetahs contract also takes him through the build-up to the competition.
For now, De Klerk's message is simple: he isn't ready to walk away yet.
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Five things you might not know about Faf de Klerk
1. His wife is a pharmacist
De Klerk married long-term partner Miné van Niekerk in October 2022 at La Paris Estate in Franschhoek. Miné studied pharmacy at North-West University and has worked at her father’s pharmacy in South Africa. The pair first met through mutual friends in 2015.
2. They briefly split because of long distance
Their relationship was seriously tested while Faf was playing for Sale Sharks. Covid travel restrictions left the pair separated for a prolonged period, and they reportedly decided at one stage to remain friends before eventually getting back together. They are now married and have two daughters, Remi-Ré and Yuke.
3. His name isn't actually Faf
The Springbok star's full first name is François. “Faf” is an Afrikaans abbreviation of François that has followed him throughout his career.
4. His South African flag pants became almost as famous as him
After South Africa beat England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, De Klerk celebrated in the changing room wearing tiny South African-flag swimwear. He was still wearing them when Prince Harry entered the dressing room, producing one of the tournament's most memorable images.
5. He and Miné have a corgi called Benji
Before the children came along, another member of the De Klerk household was already attracting attention: their corgi, Benji. Miné is a noted dog lover and Benji has appeared regularly in the couple's social-media life.
