For quite some time there have been a few different reports doing the rounds about the future of Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, who is set to finish his contract with Japanese club Yokohama Canon Eagles in June.
There were reported to be a couple of other lucrative overseas options for the double World Cup winner to consider, but increasing talk suggests he will in fact return to South Africa.
According to RugbyPass, reliable sources have confirmed that the 34-year-old is set to finalise a two-year deal with the Cheetahs in what could quite possibly be the final stint of his career.
It’s a huge signing for the Cheetahs, and it speaks to the strength of the union after a consortium of local businessmen invested in a long-term battle plan for the famed Free State franchise.
The Cheetahs will hope to have a fit Faf de Klerk in action soon
De Klerk is currently working his way back from an ankle injury, but he is expected to be fully recovered by the time he joins up with the Cheetahs.
It’s believed that De Klerk had his heart set on returning to South Africa to be closer to family and friends.
Cheetahs ambitions
Last month, the Cheetahs stated that they were “charging into a bold new chapter defined by a fresh leadership vision and a commitment to reaching new heights on the global stage”.
Part of the statement read as follows: “At the heart of this evolution is Director of Rugby Frans Steyn and his team. Leveraging his elite international experience, Steyn is spearheading a high-performance strategy designed to blend the Cheetahs’ traditional flair with modern, world-class excellence.
“The 2026 season serves as the launchpad for this ambitious vision, where the focus shifts toward modernising technical structures to compete at the highest levels while strengthening the Cheetahs’ legacy as a premier developer of world-class rugby talent.
“Under Steyn’s guidance, the franchise is driving toward long-term sustainability and on-field dominance, ensuring the “Free State Way” remains a benchmark for rugby innovation.”
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