A double World Cup-winning Springbok could spurn lucrative offers from abroad to return to South Africa.
According to Rapport, veteran scrumhalf Faf de Klerk is considering continuing his career at the Cheetahs when his contract with Japanese club the Yokohama Canon Eagles expires in June.
The 34-year-old has been strongly linked with French Top 14 clubs Perpignan and Pau, as well as a possible return to the Sale Sharks in the English Premiership where he played from 2017 to 2021. There have also been reports linking him to the Newcastle Red Bulls.
De Klerk will earn millions of rands more annually with any of the overseas clubs than with the Cheetahs, but it is understood he may want to return to South Africa to be closer to his and his wife’s families.
The Bok star is originally from Mbombela while his wife Miné is from Bloemfontein.
The Cheetahs are in a position to contract De Klerk after the intervention of a consortium of local businessmen who, together with sponsors, have helped provide financial stability to the Bloemfontein-based union.
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Cheetahs coaches Frans Steyn and Ruan Pienaar know the value of signing a marquee name like De Klerk and the positive impact his experience could have on the union’s scrumhalves such as Rewan Kruger and Jandre Nel.
An added bonus is that as De Klerk’s international career winds down, he is less likely to be unavailable due to Springbok commitments.
Photo: LeagueOne_EN/X
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