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Stage set for Faf de Klerk return against the Lions
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South Africa scrum-half Faf de Klerk is set to make his Cheetahs debut this Sunday in round one of the Currie Cup against the Lions.
The 34-year-old’s return to South Africa was confirmed in April following four years with the Yokohama Canon Eagles in Japan Rugby League One. Prior to that, the double World Cup winner spent four years with Sale Sharks in England, meaning his Cheetahs debut will be his first club game in South Africa in almost a decade.
The 60-cap Springbok was omitted from Rassie Erasmus’ South Africa squad for the Nations Championship last month, with the world number ones facing Wales on Saturday in round three following victories over England and Scotland.
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Despite missing out on the Bok squad, de Klerk made a swift return to international rugby, running out for the Barbarians against Wales at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium at the end of June.
He will now return to the club game, where he will form a half-back partnership with former Scotland fly-half Jaco van der Walt at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
“We are beyond excited to welcome Faf to the Cheetahs family,” the club said in a statement following de Klerk’s signing.
“His tenacity on the field and his leadership off it are exactly what we need as we continue to compete at the highest level. Faf is a player who changes the tempo of a game, and we know our supporters are eager to see him in the orange jersey.”
Toyota Cheetahs XV: 15. Clayton Blommetjies; 14. Cohen Jasper, 13. Munier Hartzenberg, 12. Zander du Plessis, 11. Micheal Annies; 10. Jaco van der Walt, 9. Faf de Klerk; 1. Tielman Nieuwoudt, 2. Marko Janse van Rensburg, 3. Aranos Coetzee, 4. Carl Wegner, 5. Victor Sekekete, 6. Ramon Uys, 7. Juan Venter, 8. Neels Völschenk (captain)
Replacements: 16. Juan Small, 17. Matome Manyama, 18. Frankie Dos Reis, 19. Simon Miller, 20. Daniel Maartens, 21. Rewan Kruger, 22. Ethan Wentzel, 23. Prince Nkabinde
Watch Hemispheres collide as North faces South in the brand new Nations Championship. Live matches, replays and highlights free on RugbyPass TV here
