Faf de Klerk Rules Out Retirement, Eyes 2027 Rugby World Cup Springbok Spot
- Faf de Klerk, 34, returned to South African rugby this year after signing a two-year deal with the Cheetahs following four seasons in Japan
- The double World Cup winner was left out of the Springboks' Nations Championship squad as coach Rassie Erasmus assessed other scrum-half options
- De Klerk made his World Cup ambitions clear, stating he is fully targeting a place in the squad for Australia 2027
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Springbok scrum-half Faf de Klerk has firmly ruled out retirement, declaring he is targeting selection for the 2027 Rugby World Cup despite falling out of Rassie Erasmus' current squad plans.
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The 34-year-old, who holds 60 caps for South Africa, returned to domestic rugby this year after four seasons in Japan, signing a two-year contract with the Cheetahs. He made a brief return to the Springbok set-up earlier in 2026, coming off the bench against the Barbarians and scoring a try in an 80-31 victory, before being omitted from South Africa's Nations Championship squad.
De Klerk sets his sights on Australia
Speaking after his move to the Cheetahs, the veteran scrumhalf made it clear that he was determined to fight for a place in South Africa’s 2027 Rugby World Cup squad. De Klerk said he was fully committed to competing for selection and acknowledged that consistently performing for his club would be crucial to earning another opportunity with the Springboks.
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The 34-year-old has previously indicated that he would consider stepping away from international rugby if he no longer experienced the special feeling that came with representing South Africa. However, his latest comments suggest that he still has the desire to play at the highest level and has no immediate plans to retire from the game.
Erasmus leaves the door open
When Erasmus excluded De Klerk from the Nations Championship squad, he indicated the decision was not a permanent one. The Springbok coaching staff were using the period to evaluate depth at the number nine position ahead of the World Cup, rather than signalling the end of any player's international career.
South Africa have developed viable options at scrum-half in recent years, meaning De Klerk faces stiff competition to reclaim a regular place in the setup. However, his experience as a key figure in the Springboks' back-to-back World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023 ensures he remains a credible candidate.
De Klerk will be 35 when the 2027 Rugby World Cup kicks off in Australia. Should he earn selection, he would have the rare opportunity to be part of a third successive World Cup-winning campaign. His current Cheetahs contract runs through the build-up to the tournament, keeping him well-positioned to push for inclusion.
Faf De Klerk left out of Cheetahs squad
Briefly News previously reported that Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk was left out of the Cheetahs' 28-man squad for their Georgia trip
Coach Frans Steyn named several young players in the touring group, including prop Sibabalwe Booi and flyhalf Darius Erwee
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Source: Briefly News
