Faf de Klerk in 'great shape' ahead of pre-season start

South Africa’s double World Cup winner Faf de Klerk returns to action for Yokohama Canon Eagles on Saturday for the first time since sustaining a hand injury on League one duty in March.

The 34-year-old, who last featured for his country in July’s win over Georgia, was left out of the Springboks’ Autumn tour squad despite Rassie Erasmus stating that the veteran scrum-half remains firmly in their plans.

Erasmus felt that the Mbombela native would be better served getting regular game time during his club’s pre-season campaign and, after returning to Japan a week ago, has today been named to start against Urayasu D-Rocks on Saturday.

RugbyJP.com understands that club officials have been impressed with his current condition and his desire to return to action at the earliest opportunity.

"He’s come back in great shape and he’s been super keen to get stuck in and get involved,” a club source told RugbyJP. 

Faf on pre-season duty - Picture courtesy of Yokohama Canon Eagles

As the Springboks conclude their gruelling season against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, the former Sale Sharks star will face Graham Rowntree’s Urayasu team whose line-up includes long-time Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi and ex-Chiefs lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit while the talented Ren Iinuma will be his opposite number.

Yokohama's team for their penultimate pre-season game

The Kanagawa-based side, who have turned to ex-All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald after missing out on an anticipated play-off spot last season, will conclude their pre-season schedule at home to Honda Heat on 5 December.

Yokohama will launch their season against Kwagga Smith’s Shizuoka Blue Revs on Sunday 14 December at Nissan Stadium in Kanagawa.  

Stay tuned to RugbyJP for coverage of Faf's return to action in Japan