Rugby World Cup 2027: I remember the setting clearly, Ellis Park, high up above the lower south stand, inside what was then the Touchdown restaurant. It was a Super Rugby match, probably against the Sun Wolves or one of those underwhelming Australian sides that never quite filled you with fear.
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The stadium felt unusually empty that day. The vast stands echoed, and most of the energy came not from the field, but from the small group of us sitting around, watching and talking more than anything else.
Except, of course, for one odd figure who stood out immediately. Klerk wore a grey suit that looked expensive at first glance but didn’t quite hold up under closer inspection. He was surrounded by a company that felt just as questionable as he did. He introduced the woman with him as a hairdresser.
And that was the version of the story we all agreed to accept, whether or not it made perfect sense. He himself made a much bolder claim. With real confidence, he said he was Faf de Klerk’s agent. Not just casually involved, but proudly representing the then 23 to 25-year-old scrum-half who was already starting to make waves. His credibility was, to put it kindly, hard to verify.
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Rugby World Cup: A Player You Couldn’t Afford to Lose
Still, there was something almost entertaining about how seriously he took himself. You could almost admire the commitment, even if you didn’t fully believe a word of it. What wasn’t in doubt, though, was his assessment of De Klerk as a player.
Even then, it was obvious that Faf was destined for higher honours and, eventually, the green and gold of the Springboks. At the time, he was the heartbeat of the Lions under Johan Ackermann, driving the Johannesburg side with a mix of energy, aggression, and pure stubbornness that defined that team’s rise.
Back then, Lions supporters were fiercely protective of him. He was their guy, a true product of “The Pride, and they were not keen on sharing him with anyone else. There was a sense that they had discovered something special and wanted to hold onto it for as long as possible. So, when the news broke in 2017 that De Klerk was leaving for the Sale Sharks, it landed heavily.
There was disappointment, even frustration. But many fans softened the blow by saying, At least it isn’t the Sharks in Durban. It was a small consolation, but in rugby rivalries, sometimes that is enough to ease the pain. In the years that followed, De Klerk didn’t fade at all.
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Rugby World Cup Final: The Value of Faf de Klerk’s Experience
Instead, he grew into a cult hero in Manchester, becoming just as important to Sale as he had been to the Lions. His style, all grit and intensity, became part of the club’s identity. He eventually left England not just as a respected player, but as a two-time Rugby World Cup winner and a globally recognised figure.
His later move to Japan with the Yokohama Canon Eagles didn’t go quite as smoothly. Injuries began to interrupt his rhythm, and it felt like the physical toll of his fearless style was starting to show. That kind of high-impact rugby always comes with a cost.
Now, his recent decision to sign a two-year deal with the Free State Cheetahs might have surprised some people. But it also makes sense. There is a pull toward home, toward familiar surroundings, and perhaps toward the closing chapter of a long and intense career.
At 34, with 60 Test caps already behind him, the question naturally shifts from what he has achieved to how much is left in the tank. Even so, I don’t see this as a winding-down move. I hope it isn’t. I still believe there is value in what he can bring, not just on the field but around it. Young scrum-halves in South Africa could learn a huge amount from him.
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FAQS
What is the setting described in the story?
The story is set at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, viewed from above the lower south stand inside the Touchdown restaurant during a Super Rugby match, where the stadium atmosphere was unusually quiet and empty.
Who was the unusual figure mentioned in the narrative?
An oddly confident man in a grey suit claimed to be Faf de Klerk’s agent, though his credibility was questionable. He was accompanied by a woman he introduced as a hairdresser.
Why was Faf de Klerk already highly regarded at the time?
Even early in his career, De Klerk was seen as a future Springbok because of his energy, aggression, and leadership as the key player for the Lions under coach Johan Ackermann.
How did fans react when Faf de Klerk left the Lions for Sale Sharks?
Lions supporters were disappointed and frustrated, but many softened the blow by saying, “At least it isn’t the Sharks in Durban,” showing how strongly they valued him.
What is the significance of Faf de Klerk joining the Free State Cheetahs?
His move to the Cheetahs is seen as a return home and possibly the later stage of his career. However, there is still a belief that he can play a mentoring role and add value to younger players in South African rugby.