What happened to FAF de Klerk? Why is FAF de Klerk not playing?

Faf de Klerk was knocked out just 34 seconds into a Rugby Championship match against the All Blacks in Mbombela, the city where he was born.

Faf de Klerk is not playing because he got a head injury after a terrible collision with Caleb Clarke.

Faf De Klerk got a tackle attempt wrong on powerful All Blacks winger Calum Clarke after he scampered across to halt his opponent’s advance. This resulted in his head being on the wrong side when it crashed off the left knee of Calum Clarke.

Faf de Klerk missed the rest of 2021 as well as 2022 after undergoing surgery on a hip injury. He plays as a scrum-half for Japan Rugby League One club Yokohama Canon Eagles and the South Africa national team.

Faf de Klerk made his debut in a 21–20 victory over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein as part of the Lions squad. He joined English Premiership side Sale Sharks before the 2017–18 season on a three-year contract.