Frans Steyn has slammed the door on speculation linking Faf de Klerk with a loan move to the Stormers, with the Cheetahs coach delivering a blunt message to the Cape Town franchise: Faf isn’t going anywhere.
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The rumour mill went into overdrive over the weekend after Rapport suggested the Stormers were negotiating with the Cheetahs for De Klerk’s services to ease a scrumhalf crisis that’s left the Cape-based outfit desperately thin at number nine ahead of the United Rugby Championship season.
But speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Steyn was absolutely resolute that the in-form halfback would be staying in Bloemfontein, regardless of the Stormers’ needs.
“Faf isn’t going to the Cape. He is staying with Free State,” Steyn declared, ending any speculation with the kind of finality that suggests there’s no point asking again.
Stormers’ scrumhalf crisis
The Stormers’ interest isn’t surprising given the personnel problems stacking up at scrumhalf. Imad Khan suffered a long-term knee injury against the All Blacks at the beginning of August and faces an extended spell on the sidelines. Cobus Reinach remains part of the Springbok equation and won’t be available for large chunks of the URC season. And veteran Dewaldt Duvenage has hung up his boots after calling time on his playing career.
Suddenly, what looked like reasonable depth at the position has become a genuine problem. The Stormers need cover, and De Klerk, who’s been in scintillating form for the Cheetahs during the Currie Cup, would have been the ideal solution.
Talks happened, but deal died
Steyn didn’t deny that conversations had taken place between the two franchises.
But whatever discussions occurred, they ended with a firm “no” from the Cheetahs. De Klerk is integral to their own plans, his form has been outstanding, and Steyn has no intention of weakening his squad to solve another franchise’s problems.
Stormers must look elsewhere
The rejection leaves the Stormers scrambling for alternatives. They need a quality scrumhalf who can deputise when Reinach is unavailable and step up if Khan’s recovery takes longer than expected.
Options are limited. The local market has been thoroughly picked over. Overseas recruits remain a possibility, though they’d need to arrive quickly to integrate before the URC kicks off. Academy products could be promoted, though asking youngsters to fill in at this level carries significant risk.
Whatever route the Stormers choose, it won’t involve Faf de Klerk. Frans Steyn has made absolutely certain of that.
