Bongi and Faf getting to live their dream

Of all the exciting possibilities that come with putting the Springbok jersey on for the first time, having the Newlands crowd on his side for once is one of the things that stands out for Faf de Klerk.

Of all the exciting possibilities that come with putting the Springbok jersey on for the first time, having the Newlands crowd on his side for once is one of the things that stands out for Faf de Klerk.

The nifty Lions scrumhalf, who will pull the strings with No 10 Pat Lambie during the first match of the three-Test series against Ireland tomorrow, radiated his usual energy throughout a busy press conference yesterday. “It’s going to be nice to have the crowd cheering me on for once, usually they’re always against us there,” a smiling De Klerk said.

De Klerk has been sizzling for Johan Ackermann’s Lions this year, but South Africa’s foremost No 9 believes there’s still room for improvement.

“I think it’s all in the way I play now, but you’re never satisfied as a player. You always want to do better and do better things, be more accurate,” De Klerk said.

The 24-year-old halfback has been superb for the Lions alongside Elton Jantjies, and although they compliment each other’s attacking flair, De Klerk knows he will have to adapt to playing with Lambie.

“I have to say, Pat’s very relaxed on the field and he makes me very calm. I think we’ll pair up easily,” he said. “I’ve built a good relationship with Elton, but if you want to play at this level you have to be able to play with the players around you.”

Quick thinking is a big part of De Klerk’s game and he says that new Bok coach Allister Coetzee has given him room to play instinctively. “He (Coetzee) doesn’t want to put me in a box, so ja,” De Klerk said. “I don’t think he would have chosen me if he wanted to play a different game to the one I play. Hopefully I’ll make him happy.”

De Klerk added that, as with many youngsters, wearing the green and gold has always been an inspiration. “The dream and the hope’s always been there. I think it became a reality last year when we were in the (extended) Bok squad for the World Cup,” he said.

“It came closer and I realised if I just worked a little harder and continued playing well then the chance would come. I was just overwhelmed with excitement when coach told me. Ja, I can’t wait to put on that jersey and to get onto that field and just take everything in.”

Having Duane Vermeulen at No 8 and Lambie on his outside will provide some comfort for De Klerk, who says that the nerves haven’t yet kicked in.

“I’ve never played with them before and it’s a great honour to play with players of that magnitude. So ja, I’m very settled in now, I’m enjoying the experience and hopefully I can get a few more caps with those guys next to me.”

Meanwhile, Stormers hooker Bongi Mbonambi will be on the bench and like De Klerk, is set to win his first Bok cap. “It’s a very exciting time for me and it’s a huge privilege and honour just to be part of the Boks and actually be in the squad. It’s really amazing, it’s like living out my childhood dream,” Mbonambi said.

He says that new Bok captain and No 2 Adriaan Strauss had helped him a lot this week, introducing him to the culture,

“I’ve never played with Adriaan Strauss, I’ve always played against him, always opposite him,” he said. “He’s really helped me with a lot of things in terms of being a professional hooker and actually involving me in the set-up and teaching me the ropes of being in an international squad.

“I mean, I just played against him he’s a very hard guy to play against, you know. (He has) pin-point accuracy in the lineouts and a hard worker around the field, so having him around is actually quite amazing.” - Cape Times