Steven Kitshoff and Faf de Klerk. Image via Instagram @fafster09
Springboks cult hero Faf de Klerk names his two surprising rugby heroes
It’s not who you think it is.
Steven Kitshoff and Faf de Klerk. Image via Instagram @fafster09
Springboks cult hero Faf de Klerk had two rugby heroes when he was growing up. Surprisingly, neither of them was a scrumhalf.
FAF DE KLERK NAMES HIS HERO SPRINGBOKS
Springboks cult favourite Faf de Klerk named two of his rugby heroes growing up in an interview last year. They aren’t names you would necessarily expect.
“For me, it was probably Percy Montgomery growing up and Breyton Paulse.
“Percy was always blonde hair, flashy boots and kicked with his left foot, so I felt I could relate,” he explains.
FAF FANCIES A RIBEYE STEAK
In the same interview with TimesLive last year, Faf was also quizzed on what he would select as his final meal. “Wagyu rib eye steak with lamb chops, braaibroodjie, potato salad and a mealie,” was his answer. It’s not his favourite food though, that honour belongs to the schnitzel. Whether or not he’d be donning a Speedo while being fed that last glorious dish is up for debate.
FAF DE KLERK WAS ALSO A GYMNAST
In the same interview with TimesLive, Faf De Klerk mentioned, in a typically humble tone, that he used to be a decent gymnast. We all know he was probably a lot better than decent, and there are some solid rumours that he was also an excellent cricketer. What about Steven Kitshoff? His wife Aimee said he “is an absolute whizz on water and a brilliant wakeboarder.”
SPRINGBOK STARS ARE REPRESENTED IN THE WORLD’S TOP 10
These are all annual salary figures.
- Finn Russell (Bath) – R23.3m
- Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – R21.8m
- Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles) – R21m
- Siya Kolisi (Racing Metro 92) – R19.8m
- Dan Biggar (Toulon) – R18.6m
- Owen Farrell (Saracens) – R18.6m
- Maro Itoje – (Saracens) – R18.6m
- Antoine Dupont (Toulouse) – R16.3m
- Steven Luatua (Bristol Bears) – R14.5m
- Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – R14.2m
De Klerk, now with the Yokohama Canon Eagles, boasts the third-highest salary in world rugby. The vastly-experienced Mbombela-born star was on the books of the Sale Sharks from 2017 until 2021. He has 54 caps for his country.
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