Faf de Klerk: ‘I played the majority of high school rugby as flyhalf’

Faf de Klerk has been many things in the Springbok set-up — this week he was required to be a fireman.

De Klerk is the third-choice flyhalf behind Manie Libbok and Damian Willemse, but he made it clear it was a role he was thoroughly familiar with.

“I played the majority of high school rugby as a 10,” De Klerk said. “Grade nine and a bit in standard eight, and in matric again ... quite a lot. Under-19 at the Lions I was predominantly playing 10. I’ve had some experience there.”

Job explained

Though the job description slightly overlaps with that of the other half-back, De Klerk explained what sets the positions apart.

“The main difference is more organisation. You need to run the show a bit more. At nine you play in the direction you see is on, but you still get guidance from your 10. As a 10 you need to be much more vocal and make sure you know everyone else’s role, not just your own, and that everyone is in position.

“Game management is from 9, 10 and 15, but generally the 10 makes the call, what happens next. That is probably the biggest thing,” De Klerk said.

He added that he had been practising as flyhalf with Pollard, who is on tour as he regains match fitness, at times taking up position at second receiver.

Attention to kicking

Pollard’s initial omission from the RWC group brought angst about the Springboks’ options beyond Libbok off the kicking tee. De Klerk made it clear kicking at goal is getting the attention it deserves in practice.

“I know things can change quickly. Guys get injured or yellow-carded. It is important to always be ready. We are fortunate to have a few goalkickers ... Cheslin (Kolbe) and Gazza (Willemse), myself and Manie, and there are a few other guys as well who can kick for poles. I’ve been making that a bit more of a priority so that when opportunity comes, I’m ready for the task.”

Out of hand

It is his kicking out of hand, however, that has helped establish De Klerk as the Springboks No 9. His understanding of when and how to kick into space or apply pressure added another layer to the Bok armoury. However, routinely kicking the pill skyward has at times been a hard swallow for Springbok devotees.

“We’ve got a bit more variation going,” he reassured. “We are trying not to box kick the whole time, but when we do it is up to the nines to kick an accurate kick and for our wingers to get into a contest.

“If we kick too long, it is just a nothing kick. It looks bad and we lose energy from that. Similarly, if we kick a good kick and the wings don’t get into a contest, then it is also just a loss for us. It’s about having a rounded kicking game, having all types of kicks available to us.”

The Boks’ partial departure from applying pressure that way has meant they’ve had to develop points to probe elsewhere.

“It’s definitely enjoyable,” said the scrumhalf about the team’s attacking prowess. The Boks last year, in particular on their end-of-year tour, found another gear when in possession.

That, however, only works when the players are armed with the same script.

“Some guys get the ball in hand a bit more and we are definitely moving away from the more conventional stuff that will be our main thing in every game. We have the skill set now to try a few different things and hopefully it will work going into games.”