SEE, FAF, YOU CAN HAVE FUN FULLY DRESSED!

YOU caught up with the world cup-winning scrumhalf and his girlfriend, Miné – and this time he kept his kit on

- Marelize Grbich

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WHEN the Springboks returned victorious from the Rugby World Cup they brought with them the promise of new hope South Africans had been yearning for. Celebrations were held across the country, tears of joy were shed and people from all walks of life were united in jubilation.

And one of the guys at the centre of it all was Faf de Klerk, the 1,7m-tall dynamo who added an extra dollop of fun to the festivities.

Who can forget the image of the scrumhalf, in a state of undress, shaking hands with Prince Harry in the changing room?

Small wonder the proudly South African “Springbrook” – the only thing protecting Faf ’s modesty – became one of the symbols of the Boks’ success.

But the Faf (28) we meet in Strandfontein on the Cape West Coast a few weeks after the world cup whirlwind seems a little different to the ball of energy who fearlessly faces giants on the field.

He’s taking a break with his girlfriend, Miné van Niekerk (26), and looks a bit tired as he flops down on the couch in the living room of the holiday home the couple are renting. They won’t be spending the holidays together, which is why it’s so important to them to treasure this time.

First things first: that swimsuit he wore to meet Prince Harry – what was up with that? Actually, it’s perfectly normal for players to walk around in their underwear after a game, Faf replies.

“If the camera angle had been just a little different you’d probably have seen 10 other guys in their underwear.”

Which would explain why Harry barely batted an eyelid when he met Faf.

So has his world stopped spinning yet after all the celebrations?