24K likes. De Klerk added: “When I was playing at under-19 and under-21 levels, you would sometimes play in big stadiums and there weren’t really any crowds and it was only your parents watching!“We wouldn’t be used to it at all, but it shouldn’t change the way we play and approach a game. World Cup winner Faf de Klerk has hailed Manu Tuilagi’s impact at Sale Sharks as he prepares to make his debut for them. RugbyPass is the premier destination for rugby fans across the globe, with the best news, analysis, shows, highlights, podcasts, documentaries, live match & player stats, live blog feeds, and in some territories live streaming of the world's greatest rugby tournaments all in HD. Faf ready to drive Springboks By Ashfak Mohamed Feb 21, 2020 It is going to be a different challenge, but there are people in much worse situations than us, so we just need to crack on and put on a good spectacle for the people watching at home.”Some typical straight talking from Dimes ahead of the Premiership restart Sign up to our mailing list for a weekly digest from the wide world of rugby.
We are in a great spot and we have spoken about it as a squad, but it’s almost the start of a new season again and we need to perform.“It’s not going to be a case of just pitching up. 0 comment. South Africa's scrum-half Faf de Klerk (C) tackles New Zealand's full back Beauden Barrett (L) during the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between New Zealand and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on September 21, 2019.
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RugbyPass is the premier destination for rugby fans across the globe, with the best news, analysis, shows, highlights, podcasts, documentaries, live match & player stats, live blog feeds, and in some territories live streaming of the world's greatest rugby tournaments all in HD. De Klerk added: “When I was playing at under-19 and under-21 levels, you would sometimes play in big stadiums and there weren’t really any crowds and it was only your parents watching!“We wouldn’t be used to it at all, but it shouldn’t change the way we play and approach a game. Sale say that de Klerk is expected to be back for their next Premiership game after Quins, which is against Exeter on January 25.
Any win in the Premiership is special, so we are really going to push for this game on Friday. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)Being told he was too small to make it in rugby acted as the spur for South Africa’s World Cup winning scrum-half Faf de Klerk to prove the doubters wrong, he told The Times.The 28-year-old was pivotal in the Springboks’ impressive World Cup campaign in Japan last year climaxing with a 32-12 thrashing of England.While he says off the pitch he is “a very easygoing, fun guy”, opposing players whether in Tests or in the English Premiership — he plays for the Sale Sharks — see a very different side to him on the pitch.However, he admits standing at only 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 metres) he had to develop a feisty side.“It definitely has something to do with it,” he said.“Especially growing up, always being told: I’m too small, I’ll never make it.“From a young age, I wanted to show that I can make the tackles that the big guys do, that I can do all the physical stuff.“I wanted to prove to them that I can do what they say I can’t.”De Klerk, capped 30 times since making his Test debut in the 2-1 home series win over Ireland in 2016, says he has to always be snapping at the heels of his opponents to let them know he is around.“The other thing is: if I’m not going to go 100 per cent against these guys, I’m going to come off second best,” he said.“So I need to give everything to stay in the fight.”He says he was just the same when he played cricket and was a wicketkeeper.De Klerk’s success at Sale has also acted as a magnet for several fellow South Africans to come to the club, in some cases acting as a recruiting sergeant.
It is 14 years since the club last lifted Premiership silverware, a time when they were inspired by players like Jason Robinson, Charlie Hodgson and Sebastien Chabal. The boys are mentally ready to pitch up and really give a good performance.”The Premiership will return behind closed doors, a new experience for most players as English rugby’s blue riband prepares for its resumption. Former Scrumhalf at the Golden Lions Scrumhalf/Flyhalf at the Sale Sharks and scrumhalf at the Springboks. Faf de Klerk’s portrait (right) has been painted on the pitch at Twickenham (Jim Meehan/PA) “It is a big game for us on Friday, and they are big games for everyone coming back.