The Springboks can expect a livelier version of Faf de Klerk this year as the scrumhalf has been physically rejuvinated by his stint in Japan’s League One.
De Klerk joined League One side Canon Eagles after a taxing five years in the more physically intense Premiership with Sale Sharks.
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The World Cup winner has only started 10 of his side’s 15 league games to date and has averaged around 50 minutes per game.
Canon Eagles are in fourth place on the log and are set for a place in the semi-final with the final round of fixtures to be played this weekend.
In an interview with BokSquad, De Klerk opened up on how playing in Japan has helped him ‘feel fresh’ for the upcoming challenges in 2023.
“My body’s feeling really good. I’m ready for the semi-finals and will hopefully crack on into the Test season,” De Klerk said.
“It’s nice to feel this way at the end of a season, so I think my recovery has been really good and the amount of game time I’ve got here will also help me going into the Test season.”
De Klerk, who is joined at Canon Eagles by Jesse Kriel, is one of a number of Springboks currently plying their trade in Japan, with Damian de Allende, Kwagga Smith, Willie le Roux, Lood de Jager, Malcolm Marx and Pieter-Steph du Toit all scattered across the league.
“We mainly play golf,” said De Klerk. “But we also try to explore Japan as much as we can, to see new places and find cool spots at which to eat. We also braai quite often, especially now that the weather’s become a lot better. The meat here is outstanding – from Wagyu [Japanese beef] to chops to pork, everything is very good.
“And when we play against the Saffas we know well, we’ll try to have dinner with them afterwards.”
Photo: Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images