Faf de Klerk could take a ‘massive’ paycut to join shock suitors while fellow Springboks could replace him in Japan

Double Rugby World Cup-winning scrum-half Faf de Klerk could make a shock move once his contract with the Canon Eagles concludes, according to reports.

De Klerk is currently in South Africa recovering from an injury that has ruled him out for much of the 2025/26 Japan Rugby League One season and may not return to the Yokohama-based club.

Cheetahs line up Faf de Klerk

That is according to a report by Afrikaans publication Rapport, which states that the Cheetahs have emerged as a surprise suitor for the 34-year-old’s services.

The Bloemfontein outfit have received an injection of funds through a consortium of more than 10 local businessmen to save the franchise from bankruptcy and total collapse – wiping millions of rands of debt off the Cheetahs’ balance sheet.

This has made a move for a player of De Klerk’s calibre possible but, according to the report, he would still be accepting a massive paycut to return to South Africa in comparison to the possible offers on the table with Top 14 club Perpignan and English side Sale Sharks.

However, signing with the Cheetahs is a possibility for De Klerk, who is “strongly considering” the move in order to be close to his and his wife’s family.

While he did fall down the pecking order for the Springboks last year, Rassie Erasmus has repeatedly stated that he is still in the mix for the national team and often sat in on team meetings via Zoom.

Speculation has been rife about where De Klerk could end up next. In December last year, he was linked with a move to RC Toulon who were assessing their options with Baptiste Serin’s and Ben White’s contracts expiring but those rumours died down when the former extended his deal.

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Meanwhile, Sale are in the market for a new number nine with Raffi Quirke heading to Newcastle Red Bulls next season. De Klerk has therefore been touted for a return to his former club.

Finally, Top 14 strugglers Perpignan have made no secret of the fact that they are interested in De Klerk’s services with President François Rivière confirming the links but stating that he is expensive.

“We don’t know if the talks will go anywhere,” Rivière told the 100% USAP show on France Bleu earlier this month.

“He’s in Japan, he’s nearing the end of his career, and it’s not exactly cheap either. But again, this week, Laurent Labit [Perpignan’s coach] is meeting with two other players in that position.”

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Grant Williams’ future

Meanwhile, Rugby Pass reports that Grant Williams could replace De Klerk at the Canon Eagles, with the Sharks star spending time in Japan during his Springbok rest period.

It is understood that the 29-year-old will be leaving the Durban-based side at the end of the current season for a move to Japan.

A 2023 Rugby World Cup winner, Williams would be an ideal replacement for De Klerk at the Eagles but has also been strongly linked with a move to the Kobelco Kobe Steelers, who he follows on Instagram.

The Dave Rennie-coached side currently has Ardie Savea on its books, but the All Blacks star is set to return to New Zealand ahead of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, making the funds available for another foreign international.

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