Uncover the life journey of Faf de Klerk, the rugby player

François de Klerk, famously known as Faf de Klerk, is among the best scrum-halves in world rugby. He is best known for his energetic and innovative moves, playing an integral part in the Springboks' Rugby World Cup winning squads. We dig deep into his life story and where he is now.

De Klerk has generated an incredible fanbase with his performances at Sale Sharks, the Lions, and the Springboks. He has made millions throughout his career and inspired a generation of rugby players. This article highlights his career journey, family, and other top facts about him.

Faf de Klerk's profile summary

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How old is Faf de Klerk?

Rugby star François de Klerk, nicknamed Faf de Klerk (age 32 as of February 2024), was born in Nelspruit (now Mbombela), South Africa. He is renowned for his exceptional skills, talent, and dedication to the sport.

How tall is Faf de Klerk?

Faf de Klerk's height is 1.73 m or 5 feet and 7 inches. He is one of the shortest Springboks players in 2024, alongside Cheslin Kolbe (1.7 m) and Grant Williams (1.74 m). The average height of the national team squad is 1.86 m (6' 1"). Faf de Klerk's weight is 88 kg (194 lbs).

Faf de Klerk's family

The scrum-half was born to Tobie and Corrie. His parents encouraged and supported him while he was growing up. Faf has a half-brother named Tobie Jr. living in Pretoria. Tobie and Corrie always believed their son would make it to the top. As per TimesLive, they stated:

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"From the time he started playing rugby, he has always been told that he was too small to ever make a success of himself. He knew that so he would make sure he brought down the biggest player on the field, and look where he is now."

Faf de Klerk's career stats

The Springboks star began playing rugby at Hoërskool Waterkloof in Pretoria. He then joined the Blue Bulls academy in 2007 at 16 before transferring to the Golden Lions youth team. Here is a timeline of professional career and achievements from South Africa to London and Tokyo.

Club career

Faf joined Pumas in 2012, representing them in the Currie Cup until 2015. He signed for the Lions in the Super Rugby in 2014 and played for four years, making 65 appearances and scoring 72 points, including 14 tries. De Klerk helped the Lions qualify for their first-ever Vodacom Super Rugby final in 2017.

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The Lions lost 25-17 to New Zealand's Hurricanes in the final at Emirates Airlines Park in Johannesburg in August 2017. Faf later moved to Europe, joining the Sale Sharks of the English Premiership in 2017, where he made an impact.

De Klerk spent five years with the English outfit, playing 103 games and scoring 241 points, including 14 tries. He also won the Sale Sharks Player of the Year and was voted the Fans' Player of the Season in the 2017-18 Premiership debut season. The scrum-half joined Yokohama Canon Eagles in Japan Rugby League One in July 2022. As per Planet Rugby, he told the reporters:

"I'm definitely looking forward to a new challenge. If you get comfortable in life, you stop growing. I really think I can still improve my game a lot, so this is another big challenge for me and one that I'm very excited to take on."

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National team

Faf earned his first call to South Africa's national rugby team in 2015, joining the extended Springbok training squad under Heyneke Meyers. His debut came in a defeat against Ireland in Cape Town in 2016. The Nelspruit native became ineligible to play for the national team following his move to the Sale Sharks.

In 2017, South Africa introduced a rule barring players with less than 30 caps who move overseas from playing for the Springboks, but luckily for Faf and other affected stars, the country scrapped the policy in early 2019.

Since then, Faf has contributed much to the team's success, including winning the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups. He has 55 caps and scored 50 points, including five tries for the Springboks as of February 2024.

Where is Faf de Klerk now?

The scrum-half is plying his trade in Japan Rugby League One, representing Yokohama Canon Eagles. He is also one of the key players in South Africa's national team.

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Interesting facts about Faf de Klerk

Faf de Klerk's position as a scrum-half has made him excel in his childhood sport. He has also played as a fly-half once in his career. Faf de Klerk wears jersey no. 9 with the Springboks and at Canon Eagles. We break down other facts about him.

Is Faf de Klerk married?

The rugby star married his long-time girlfriend, Miné van Niekerk, at La Paris Estate in Franschhoek in October 2022. Miné is reportedly a pharmacist working in her father's business and holds a bachelor's degree after graduating in 2016. She has a blonde hair and loves travelling.

Faf de Klerk's wife studied at Eunice High School and North West University. She shared her photo on Instagram on 22 January 2024, announcing her pregnancy during a baby shower event.

Faf de Klerk's net worth and earnings

Miné's husband has an estimated net worth of $2 million from his rugby career. He also makes money from brand endorsements. How much does Faf de Klerk get paid?

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The Japan-based scrum-half earns around $1.13 million at Canon Eagles, making him one of the second highest-paid Springboks stars in 2024. He used to earn $500,000 annually before receiving a salary increment. Here are the top four best-paid South African rugby players.

Is Faf de Klerk injured?

The athlete is reportedly fit and healthy but has suffered multiple setbacks in his career. One of the most tragic incidences in Faf de Klerk's injury history was his hip injury against the Lions in October 2021. The blow sidelined him for around five months, missing crucial games.

Is Faf de Klerk related to FW de Klerk?

The two share the same surname and come from the same country but have no family relations. Frederik Willem de Klerk is a former South African president who helped end apartheid. He was born on 18 March 1936 in Johannesburg in a powerful family with ties to the National Party. Frederik died on 11 November 2021.

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Social media

Faf has 535k followers on Instagram and 47.9k on X (Twitter) as of February 2024. He often shares pictures of his adventures, career development and moments with the love of his life, Miné.

Final word

Faf de Klerk is an outstanding rugby star known for his speed and excellent performance. He still has a lot to offer in his early 30s as fans look forward to watching more of his actions. His hard work and dedication to the sport have inspired and served as an example to many globally.

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