Two-time World Cup-winning Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk is hoping his injury layoff will help prolong his career in the green and gold jumper.
The world champions are set to be without De Klerk for the rest of 2024 due to a thigh injury. He missed the opening Rugby Championship Tests for the Boks in Australia, where Rassie Erasmus’ charges started their campaign with back-to-back bonus point wins.
De Klerk was injured in the second Test of the July series against Ireland in Durban and will also miss the home clashes with the All Blacks in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Quoted by Netwerk24 in the buildup to the blockbuster rematch between the 2023 Rugby World Cup finalists in the Republic, 58-Test halfback shed light on his rehabilitation and what it means for his longevity.
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“It’s really not nice [to be injured] but I focus on the positive. Hopefully it will extend my career,” he said.
“I’m getting older and I haven’t had many injuries in my career. I now spend time with my family and I get a chance to get rid of the other aches and pains.
“I’m seeing a specialist at the moment, but I don’t really know when I’ll be able to play again.”
On a rare Bok whitewash of the Aussies Down Under, De Klerk adds, “I have never won a Test in Australia in my career. I did expect us to win both Tests because the Aussies are going through a bit of a rebuilding phase.
“That we won both Tests so easily surprised me, because playing away against the Wallabies is always one of the most difficult challenges.
“There are some young guys who got a chance [in the second Test in Perth] and it was a great start for us in the competition.”
Photo: Aaron Gillions/www.photosport.nz
The post Faf’s fingers crossed for his Bok future appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
