Faf de Klerk relishing Springboks return after Cheetahs move

The double Rugby World Cup-winning number nine earned his 60th and most recent cap for the Boks against Georgia in his hometown, Nelspruit, last year and was overlooked for the Rugby Championship and end-of-year tour.

De Klerk was called into the squad as cover for the Rugby Championship but didn't feature after appearing off the bench on the Lowveld. However, he now has the chance to impress the Springboks coaches after being included in the training squad for the opening games of the year, with the Boks facing the Barbarians while South Africa A clash with Zimbabwe.

Speaking from the training camp in Johannesburg, the scrum-half said that he has been fully focused on returning to the Bok fold through his performances for Japanese club the Canon Eagles, adding that it feels 'amazing' to be back and when it doesn't feel that anymore, then it's time to call it quits.

"It's obviously an amazing feeling once again," he said. "I think that once you lose that feeling, you should rather stop."

"Everything I try and do at my club is to prove that I'm still good enough to be here and want to be here. I was obviously very excited, and now the important thing is just to play or train well enough to continue to stay here."

The 34-year-old has spent the past four years at the Japanese club, before which he represented PREM Rugby side the Sale Sharks from 2017. However, he starts a new journey now after signing a two-year deal with the Cheetahs.

De Klerk says that his return to South African provincial rugby is a 'win-win' for him and his family.

"I said to Vincent [Koch] earlier, tomorrow when we fly home, I can fly to Bloemfontein, and I'm home. I don't have to do another massive travel to get somewhere.

"The family is happy, and I travel less. It's a win-win and obviously with the new club, there's a lot of stuff that we need to do there and build on that side, which I'm excited to help out with as much as I can but my main goal will always be to play well for my club and then hopefully get the opportunity to play for the Springboks - that will always stay the number one thing that that that I strive for."

"I'm very glad to be back in South Africa," he concluded.

De Klerk will be aiming to add to his 60 Test caps this year but will have stiff competition for a spot despite the injury to fellow double World Cup winner Cobus Reinach.

Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus included rising stars Imad Khan, Haashim Pead and Nico Steyn in his squad for the double header in PE while Grant Williams has also returned to full fitness after he missed the latter stages of the Sharks' season.

Embrose Papier is expected to link up with the national team following the Bulls' URC final against Leinster next week at Croke Park, while Jaden Hendrikse is also set to return at some point this year.