Faf de Klerk Height: How Tall Is the Springbok Star

Few sights in professional rugby are as striking as Faf de Klerk, the Springbok scrum-half who stands just 172 cm tall, yet has twice lifted the Rugby World Cup. For fans wondering how someone so compact dominates a sport built for giants, the numbers tell a clear story.

Height: 172 cm (5 ft 7 in) ·
Weight: 88 kg (194 lb) ·
Age: 34 (born 19 Oct 1991) ·
Position: Scrum-half ·
International team: South Africa (Springboks) ·
Current club: Canon Eagles (Japan Rugby League One)

The pattern from the snapshot: de Klerk’s height is the most cited fact, yet his two World Cup rings are the ultimate counterweight.

Is 5’9″ too short for rugby?

Height averages in professional rugby

Professional rugby players span a wide range of heights, but the average for back‑line players generally sits around 1.80 m. Faf de Klerk, at 1.72 m, falls well below that average. According to RugbyPass official stats, his listed height of 172 cm places him among the shortest active professionals in the sport.

Successful short rugby players: examples from history

Being short has not prevented players from excelling. Scrum‑halves, in particular, often compensate with speed and agility. While exact historical data vary, de Klerk’s two World Cup titles (2019 and 2023) – Wikipedia tournament wins – prove that size is not a prerequisite for the highest honours.

How Faf de Klerk’s height compares to his peers

Among the Springboks’ 2019 and 2023 squads, de Klerk is consistently listed as one of the smallest players (172 cm). For context, the average Springbok player stands about 1.85 m, making de Klerk roughly 13 cm shorter than the team average. RugbyPass notes that his “compact build aids acceleration and agility,” a trade‑off that helps him evade tackles.

Why is Faf de Klerk not playing anymore?

Faf de Klerk’s current playing status

As of 2025, Faf de Klerk remains an active player. His most recent test appearance was on 19 July 2025, according to Springbok Rugby History test log. He currently plays for the Canon Eagles in Japan Rugby League One, a move he made in 2024 (Wikipedia – club record).

Recent moves and injuries

De Klerk joined the Canon Eagles after a successful stint with Sale Sharks in the English Premiership (2020‑2023). No official source reports any major injury that would force him to stop playing. His international selection may have been limited by rotation policy or schedule management, though no public statement confirms this.

Future plans and retirement rumors

There has been no formal retirement announcement. Speculation arises from his relative absence from Springbok squads in mid‑2025, but the data show he competed in the July test window. The absence later in the year may be due to club commitments or rest. Without an official statement, the reason remains unclear.

Who is the tallest Springbok of all time?

List of tallest Springbok players by height

Several Springboks have been exceptionally tall, but the tallest officially recorded in available sources is uncertain. The name most frequently mentioned in rugby circles is Andries Bekker (lock), often cited at 2.08 m. However, this figure does not appear in the authoritative sources used for this article, so it should be treated as an unofficial claim.

Andries Bekker – the record holder

Bekker, who played lock for South Africa between 2008 and 2014, is widely reported as the tallest Springbok. Without a verified source in this dataset, we cannot confirm the exact measurement. Other tall players include Eben Etzebeth (regularly listed at 2.03 m in team sheets) and Lood de Jager (2.05 m), but those numbers also lack inline verification here.

How other tall Springboks compare

What is clear: both Bekker and Etzebeth stand well above the average rugby player, and their height provides a clear advantage in locking scrums and competing in lineouts. For accurate official heights, readers should refer to the RugbyPass player database or the Wikipedia Springbok squad pages.

Are there any 7ft rugby players?

Known rugby players over 7 feet tall

Rugby players exceeding 2.13 m (7 ft) are extremely rare. The tallest player often mentioned is former Scotland lock Richard Metcalfe, who is listed at 2.10 m (6 ft 10.7 in) in some sources – just short of 7 ft. No current professional player is confirmed at exactly 2.13 m in the available data.

The tallest recorded rugby player ever

Various historical claims exist, including a Fijian prop allegedly reaching 2.16 m. However, none of these have been verified by the official bodies or sources referenced in this article. Wikipedia Richard Metcalfe page notes his height as 2.10 m, making him one of the tallest officially documented players.

Why extreme height is rare in rugby

While height offers advantages in lineouts and set pieces, extremely tall players often struggle with mobility, injury rates, and aerobic endurance. The demands of modern rugby favour balanced physiques, which is why the “7 ft player” remains more of a curiosity than a common profile.

What is Faf de Klerk’s height and weight?

Official height and weight from Springbok records

According to RugbyPass official Springbok profile, Faf de Klerk stands 172 cm (5 ft 7 in) and weighs 88 kg (194 lb). These measurements have remained consistent throughout his professional career. Wikipedia and Springbok Rugby History confirm the same stats.

How his measurements changed over his career

De Klerk’s weight has been stable since his debut. RugbyPass data from 2016 onward shows a consistent 88 kg. No significant fluctuations have been reported, suggesting his physique is optimised for his scrum‑half role.

Impact of his physique on playing style

“His compact build aids acceleration and agility,” notes RugbyPass performance analysis. The combination of moderate weight and low height allows him to change direction quickly, generate explosive power from a low crouch, and maintain stability in contact. This physical profile directly supports his signature darting runs and sharp service from the base of rucks.

A direct comparison: Faf de Klerk vs. peers

Four key metrics, one pattern: height matters less than performance.

The implication: de Klerk is roughly 13 cm shorter and 12 kg lighter than the average Springbok back. Yet his two World Cup rings show that rugby rewards skills over size.

Career stats at a glance

Six numbers that define his playing record.

Career timeline

1. 19 Oct 1991 – Born in Nelspruit, South Africa (Wikipedia)
2. 2012 – Professional debut for the Lions in Super Rugby (general career start)
3. 11 Jun 2016 – First Springbok test cap against Wales at Newlands (Springbok Rugby History)
4. 2019 – Won Rugby World Cup with South Africa (Wikipedia)
5. 2020‑2022 – Played for Sale Sharks in Premiership Rugby (Wikipedia)
6. 2023 – Won second Rugby World Cup with South Africa (Wikipedia)
7. 2024 – Joined Canon Eagles in Japan Rugby League One (Wikipedia)
8. 19 Jul 2025 – Most recent test appearance for Springboks (Springbok Rugby History)

Clarity check: Confirmed vs. Unclear

Confirmed facts

• Faf de Klerk’s official height: 172 cm (5 ft 7 in) – RugbyPass, Wikipedia
• Weight: 88 kg (194 lb) – RugbyPass
• Won Rugby World Cup 2019 and 2023 – Wikipedia
• Born 19 October 1991 – Wikipedia
• 60 test caps and 5 tries – Springbok Rugby History

What’s unclear

• The exact reason he stopped playing for the Springboks after July 2025 – no official statement
• Whether any rugby player has ever reached 7 ft exactly – unverified
• The identity of the female rugby player who transitioned to male – not confirmed in any source

Voices from the press

“Faf de Klerk has been a force for the Springboks since he made his debut in 2016.”

— RugbyPass player profile

“At 5 ft 7in, Faf de Klerk is usually the smallest player on the pitch. He is even around half an inch shorter than Cheslin Kolbe.”

— Springbok Rugby History historical record

“De Klerk is a two‑time Rugby World Cup winner and one of the most capped scrum‑halves in Springbok history.”

— Wikipedia Springbok biography

Summary: What Faf de Klerk’s height really means

Faf de Klerk’s official height of 172 cm places him among the shortest active professional rugby players – but his career proves that stature is not a ceiling. With two World Cup titles, 60 test caps, and a consistent weight of 88 kg, his physique is purpose‑built for the demands of scrum‑half play. For aspiring players who worry that being 5’7″ limits their chances, the lesson from his career is clear: agility, vision, and resilience matter more than inches.

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