Faf de Klerk: ‘I have no idea how long I have left in my career…I’m feeling young again’
Springboks' scrum-half Faf de Klerk hopes to prolong his career as long as possible as he eyes up a third Rugby World Cup appearance.
Springboks scrum-half Faf de Klerk hopes to continue his career for as long as possible as he eyes a third Rugby World Cup appearance.
The 32-year-old is currently sidelined with a thigh injury which could see him miss the remainder of South Africa’s Test matches this year, but the Bok nine is using this time to potentially prolong his career.
The extent of Faf de Klerk’s injury
De Klerk missed the Springboks‘ two Test matches against Australia through injury and that same concern means that he will also be absent for the Rugby Championship clashes against the All Blacks in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Recent reports suggested that he would be sidelined for the remainder of the year but the double World Cup winner says that is still to be confirmed.
“We’re just speaking specialist at the moment but really sure how long but it’s looking positive, I’m not really sure when I’ll return yet,” he told reporters at an event hosted by Springboks’ sponsors Castle Lager.
“I don’t really want to say how long I’m out for unless I know for sure but it’s looking positive and I’m feeling pretty good.
“It’s a thigh injury that has been niggling me for a few weeks just through kicking and sprinting. It might be from the MCL injury that I had a few months ago and I get an extra strain with some hard kicking.”
Feeling young again
With De Klerk sidelined, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has handed starts to Cobus Reinach and a debut to Morne van den Berg with Grant Williams shining off the bench for South Africa.
Ahead of the Tests against the All Blacks, Jaden Hendrikse has also returned from injury, adding further depth to the squad.
The veteran half-back is not willing to give up on his international career just yet and is hungry to get back into the squad and reclaim the starting jumper. But for now, he aims to get his body right and rectify persisting niggles.
“I’m getting a bit older and I haven’t really been injured in my career so using this time to spend more time with family and try to sort out the rest of my body out where there are niggles and aches and pains,” he added.
“It’s really not great not to be out there but there are other positives as well which I tend to lean on more.
“I can see the positives to it and can hopefully prolong my career a bit more.”
When asked about his personal goals and potential retirement plans, De Klerk said that he was feeling young again before the injury.
“I have no idea how long I have left in my career, it’s pretty much body-dependent, as long as the body keeps going, I’ll probably keep going,” he said.
“Unfortunately, before this injury, I’ve actually felt really, really good and young again on the field so I don’t want to tempt fate by putting a date on it or years on it but I really don’t know at least another two years.”
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