Yokohama’s Faf de Klerk returns for Springboks against the All Blacks

Yokohama Canon Eagles scrum-half Faf de Klerk has been added to the Springbok’s squad for their back-to-back Rugby Championship Test matches against the All Blacks in New Zealand.

Yokohama's Faf de Klerk in action in Japan

The 33-year-old double World Cup winner was overlooked for South Africa’s opening two Rugby Championship matches on home soil against Australia but head coach Rassie Erasmus has today added the veteran as additional cover.

Mbombela native de Klerk will link-up with Yokohama teammate Jesse Kriel who captained his country in their win against Australia a week ago.

South Africa were stunned in their opening game against a rampant Australia before a much-changed line-up eventually saw off the Wallabies before the group left for Auckland.

Hooker Bongi Mbonambi remained behind in South Africa earlier this week to attend to family matters with a 36-man squad now preparing to face their arch-rivals at Eden Park on Saturday.

Former Sale Sharks star de Klerk came off the bench in the 55-10 rout of overmatched Georgia in July and quickly showed his quality with a perfectly weighted chip over the top to play in wing Edwill van der Merwe. 

Faf de Klerk in action against Georgia in July - Picture courtesy of SA Rugby

The back-to-back world champions will move on to Wellington for the second match on their New Zealand tour on Saturday 13 September.