Sharks changed my life forever, insists De Klerk
FAF de Klerk says joining Sale has been ‘life-changing.’
The South African’s five-year stay with the Sharks has come to an end, with the World Cup winner joining Yokohama Canon Eagles in Japan.
When he moved the the AJ Bell Stadium, the scrum-half wasn’t in the Springboks side. But while in England he not only won back his place, but became a World Cup winner.
Director of rugby Alex Sanderson said there will always be a part of De Klerk’s DNA with the club now. But the 30-year-old believes he will also be taking a part of the Mancunian DNA away with him.
“We came over in 2017. I started falling out of favour with the national side in South Africa and this opportunity came along,” he said.
“It was a culture shock and it was different weather wise but I learnt so much here.
“This has definitely been lifechanging for me. Not just on the playing side, but in helping me become a better man, a better friend.
“I have really enjoyed every minute, even through the tough times. It has made me grow, and I have a lot to be thankful for.
“Just living on my own, I had to grow up quickly. Back home a lot of things are done for us. Being in a new environment – not even knowing when to take out the bins – it is completely different for me. And I have learnt from that. I have grown up. I was a boy when I got here and now I am a man.
“It was the right time to move here and it has turned out pretty good. I got engaged here, I won a World Cup while I was at Sale. There are so many positives to come from this experience.
“What I have achieved while I have been here has created so many memories for me.
“I will miss the boys, the camaraderie, the friends I have made here – in and out of the club. I don’t know when I will be able to get back to see these people who I have made good friendships with, and I know it won’t be as soon as I want it to be.
“But I have such strong bonds now, we will make time to see each other. The people in the north are great, the supporters have been so great to me, it has been nice to get such a positive reaction from them, even when they knew I was leaving. They are not making me leave with a nasty taste in my mouth and I want to thank them for that.
“I have had so many nice messages from that, and you don’t often get that when you are leaving a club. That means a lot to me and my family. My parents got emotional just reading the nice comments I have had.”