Inspirational Faf’s legacy one to last
RUGBY UNION CHRIS OSTICK
FAF de Klerk’s legacy at Sale could last for a decade or more.
The South African scrum-half will end his spell with the Sharks at the end of this season as the new Gallagher Premiership salary cap starts to bite.
And he still has the chance to go out on a high, with the Sharks heading to Bristol tonight for the second leg of their Heineken Cup round-of-16 clash trailing by just a point.
But director of rugby Alex Sanderson believes De Klerk’s contribution to the club has been more than just winning games, he says he has helped develop a string of players - such as fellow scrum-half Raffi Quirke - who will help shape the club for years to come.
“What he has brought, from an environment perspective he is the best example of a professional - how hard he works, he’s always taking notes and contributing,” Sanderson said of De Klerk.
“He is a ball of energy, is super positive, always smiling.
“As a brand perspective, he was a big signing and was a sign of intent that this club weren’t just also rans.
“Without him, would you get a Raffi Quirke, who wants to emulate him? I doubt you would.
“He has been inspirational for the region and the club. He has certainly given more than he has taken.
“And that’s what you want from a marquee player. Marquee players usually just come for cash, but if they have that mercenary attitude, they check in and check out.
“But Faf hasn’t been like that. He has been brilliant to work with.
“There will be fewer of these people around (with the salary cap), but it is still going to be important to have them for the mentoring they do with the younger lads.
“He was a great player when he came here, but he probably wasn’t as highly regarded as he is now.
“In terms of his own game, he was mainly a livewire around the rucks when he arrived and he has added a side of his game which complements South Africa which is the kicking game, the game management and saving the legs of the big boys.
“He has fostered that since he has been at the club, he has been allowed to be himself and improve those parts of the game he has needed, and in doing so he and South Africa have won a World
Cup.
“He likes to look good, no doubt, his hair always looks amazing.
“He is like a Vidal Sassoon advert - but if you think he is all show and no go...you get into a false sense of security that you can take him on at the base of a scrum or a ruck, and he ends up crippling you!
“That makes him a personality, which is why everyone wants a piece of Faf. And youngsters want to be like Faf.”
Manu Tuilagi starts again for Sale tonight, with the only change from last week’s 10-9 home defeat the return of Tom Roebuck for Jack
Metcalf, who drops to the bench.