Stormers eye Faf de Klerk on loan to fill scrum-half crisis before URC opener

DHL Stormers head coach John Dobson is targeting a loan move for veteran Springbok scrum-half Faf de Klerk as he scrambles to cover a double injury blow before the United Rugby Championship season begins against Connacht on 25 September.

De Klerk, 34, returned to South Africa earlier this year after four seasons with Yokohama Canon Eagles in Japan, joining the Cheetahs for the Currie Cup. His form in that competition has caught Dobson’s eye and prompted the Stormers coach to consider bringing him to Cape Town on a short-term basis.

The need is pressing. Imad Khan suffered a serious injury in a non-contact incident against the All Blacks, while Dewaldt Duvenage was hurt in the final game before his retirement, leaving Dobson short of options at nine. “Loan players are an option, like Faf and Louis Schreuder from Boland. We are looking at that,” Dobson told South African newspaper Rapport.

Schreuder, a one-cap Springbok who previously played for Bath and Newcastle Falcons and is now at the Boland Cavaliers, is the other name under consideration. The 60-cap De Klerk, who began his career at the Lions before moving to Sale Sharks in 2017, would bring considerable experience and Test pedigree to the role.

Beyond the immediate loan market, Dobson has longer-term ambitions at scrum-half. He is keen to sign Haashim Pead from the Lions despite the player being contracted in Johannesburg until 2028, with Pead having struggled for consistent game time there.

Dobson has, however, ruled out a move for Herschel Jantjies, who has another year remaining on his deal with Bayonne. Despite the French club indicating a willingness to listen to offers this summer, and Jantjies having recently forced his way back into Springbok plans, the Stormers coach does not appear to be pursuing that avenue. With the new season imminent, Jantjies looks set to remain in the Basque Country.