From the World Cup to Currie Cup: Cheetahs boss hails impact of Faf de Klerk

After back-to-back Rugby World Cup wins, de Klerk was one of the highest-paid rugby players in the world, plying his trade in Japan. But by his own choice, a four-year spell with the Yokohama Canon Eagles came to an end this year.  

De Klerk chose a huge pay cut and lifestyle change to be closer to his wife's family in Bloemfontein. They have two children together.

The Cheetahs jumped at the chance to sign the double World Cup winner and they are reaping the rewards. Four rounds into the 2026 Currie Cup season and the embattled franchise is tied at the top of the standings.

De Klerk has been a revelation. He scored two tries against the Sharks XV in Round 2, then a match-winner in the 79th minute against the Stormers XXIII last Saturday. He was named man of the match on both occasions.

"The love he has for the Cheetahs over the past couple of weeks, there's nothing he wouldn't do for this team," Steyn told the press this week.

"He's all in and wants to see this team get better every day; for that, the players have a lot of respect for him.

"He's a good team man - he listens to everybody and will speak up when he thinks we can do something better.

"There's enough respect between him and his teammates. Look, he didn't do everything right on the weekend, and he'll hear that in the team meeting, but he's good for this team at the moment. We have missed somebody like that."

And de Klerk's Springbok journey is not yet done. The 34-year-old ran out in the green and gold against the Barbarians in June, then was truly brilliant for the Barbarians the next week against Wales.

Bok boss Rassie Erasmus knows what he has in the storied scrumhalf and performances like we've seen will keep de Klerk in the mix.