Top Springboks can make a fair amount of money playing in Japan, and the playing schedule is really attractive to the leading internationals.
Springbok star Faf de Klerk is as beloved in South Africa as he is highly valued in Japan.
De Klerk earns one of the best salaries among the top Springbok stars thanks to his contract with Yokohama Canon Eagles.
Springbok Star Faf de Klerk’s Salary Revealed
De Klerk is said to earn around R1.77 million per month with the Japanese side, which equates to a yearly salary of more than R21 million.
De Klerk was also well-paid at Sale Sharks during his long stay with the Premiership club, but Yokohama made an offer that the scrumhalf couldn’t refuse.
Alex Sanderson gave De Klerk a glowing reference after he left Sale:
“There is a no-nonsense, gritty physicality about South Africans, a hard-working, gritty physicality which dovetails with the archetypal northern stereotype. It’s been a good place; it’s as much a place they have brought on and grown; it’s a good home for that type of person anyway. That is why they fitted in so well. The legacy? Faf, as good as he is in the breakdown, is still super physical and competitive and aggressive. The legacy of all that South African influence will continue to run deep in whatever side Sale manages to put out next season.”
What Does He Do in Japan?
De Klerk has revealed that golf has become his primary pastime in Japan.
He says: “We mainly play golf. But we also try to explore Japan as much as we can, to see new places and find cool spots to eat.
“We also braai quite often, especially now that the weather’s become a lot better. The meat here is outstanding – from Wagyu [Japanese beef] to chops to pork, everything is very good.
“And when we play against the Saffas we know well, we’ll try to have dinner with them afterward.”
Who is Faf de Klerk?
Born in Nelspruit, De Klerk attended Laerskool Bergland, where he first displayed his rugby talents. He was also a promising gymnast at school but eventually abandoned the sport to focus on rugby.
De Klerk went on to attend Hoërskool Waterkloof in Tshwane and enjoyed a spell as the first-team flyhalf. He credits his No 10 role at high school with laying the foundation of his kicking game.
De Klerk began his professional career with the Blue Bulls while still a schoolboy, where he spent the first two years. He established himself as a Pumas star, leading to a loan back to the Lions. The Lions handed De Klerk his Super Rugby debut back in 2014.
De Klerk made his Springbok debut during the tumultuous 2016 season, but a move to Sale in 2017 rendered him ineligible for selection.
