Tobie de Klerk (Faf de Klerk’s father)

Faf knew at a very young age that he wanted to be a professional sportsman. He never considered being anything else. It was cricket or rugby. When the Lions offered him a contract after school that made up his mind. We are always concerned about injuries (during matches), so we pray for his protection before every game. It really works. I get really annoyed at the criticism Faf receives on social media about his box kicks, because I cannot believe that people think he can go out and do his own thing and still get selected. He is a 100 per cent team player and buys into the coach’s plan. SA will win (the final) by eight. We know how to beat them. We should have won last year’s incoming tour 3-0. Faf, this is your chance to do something great for South Africa. Just give it your all as you always do.

Jimmy Stonehouse (former coach of Faf de Klerk and Vincent Koch)

Faf (de Klerk) I knew from Hoërskool Waterkloof days, I coached him there for three years. After being turned down by various other unions we (the Pumas) signed him. He’s a brilliant defender, he can adapt. What makes Faf special is he can change the game, he can read the game. Whatever you ask him, he will do and stick to that plan. He has got the ability to create something out of nothing. Vincent (Koch) is strong, he has the ability to be mobile. He played loosehead for me and then in the last year I moved him to tighthead. I remember he did not want to and I promised him he would become a Springbok in a year’s time and that is exactly what happened. Faf and Vincent are two special people, well mannered men and team players. Amazing people. They were part of that (Pumas) team who could not stop training, they were just brilliant.
The forwards of England dominated the All Blacks. I do not think that will happen against South Africa. I think SA have the forwards to dominate. They will try and stretch us out wide but I think we have the ability to beat them because of our strength in the tight phases. We play low-risk rugby. If you kick the ball and they miss the aerial contesting we are up in front – that is what people do not understand. SA will win with a kicking game 21-17.
Boks, bring it home. The whole of SA is waiting for this, the nation is behind the Boks again. Winning is not everything, it’s the only thing. To the players, it’s amazing to represent your country.
Faf and Vincent, you are two special Pumas boys. Last week Vincent, when you picked up Faf after the game, I remembered you two guys as Pumas. Well done to show SA and the rest of the world you can come from a small union and still make it. Once a Puma, always a Puma. Good luck you two.

Corné Steenkamp (former Pumas captain of Faf de Klerk and Vincent Koch)

Faf is all about positive energy and he brings a vibe that will lift the performance of any player. His vision and feeling for the game are excellent and that is something that can’t be coached, that is why he is such a good scrum half. For me still the best
nine option, although he is not playing his style of rugby.
Vince is a powerhouse, one of the strongest props I know. A complete front-row player who will dominate at set pieces, carry the ball and defend.
South Africa wil defeat England by four points.
I want to wish Faf and Vincent and the whole team all the best for the final. I know they will play their hearts out. This is a great
opportunity to create memories and write a story that will be remembered by many.

Wimpie van der Walt (former Komatipoort Akademie and Hoërskool Nelspruit pupil and Japanese loose forward and lock)

The support I received from the people of the Lowveld and especially the Onderberg (while playing for Japan in the World Cup) has been incredible. It’s been an amazing journey as I’m from a very small town. It just shows that dreams can come true. Playing in a rugby world cup has always been a dream for me. I’m very grateful for all the opportunities and people who have supported me.
To Duane and his teammates – I will be supporting you in the stadium. Good luck. I think you can win. The Springbok forwards are very dominant, especially the mauls and scrums. I think it’s going to be a tight game.

Estelien Vermeulen (Duane Vermeulen’s mother)

Wat ‘n wonderlike gevoel, voorreg en geleentheid is dit nie. One Bokke is in die finaal. Niemand het hulle eintlik twee jaar gelede ‘n kans gegee nie. Well done Rassie en die afrigtingspan.
Die woorde “stronger together” beteken beslis iets vir die span. Dit is die gom wat die spelers aanmekaar bind. Hulle speel vir mekaar.
My seun Duane is deel van dit. My hart swel van trots as ek dink dat dit nie te lank terug is wat hy as klein seuntjie nog kaalvoet rugby gespeel het.
Ek word erg senuweeagtig as Duane seerkry. Ek se “staan net op”, want as jy kan loop is jou rug okay. Die res kan ons reg opereer indien nodig is.
Die Bokke gaan wen. Ek weet dit in my hart. Dit gaan nie maklik wees nie. My telling is Bokke 19 – Engeland 17.
Duane, jy moet weet hoe ongelooflik trots ek is op jou. Jy is ‘n fenomenale rugbyspeler wat jou plek in die Springbokspan verdien. Jy het van jongs af hard gewerk vir dit was jy in glo. As van jou skoolmaats gekuier het, het jy geoefen. Jy het nie ‘n matriekvakansie gehad soos al jou maats nie, jy het rugby gespeel.
Ek weet hoe mooilik dit was en hoeveel opofferings jy gemaak het. Jy is weg van die huis af en sien nie jou vrou en kinders gereeld nie.
Jy is ons yster want jy is ‘n wonderklike seun, man, pa en broer vir jou sussie.
Strekte vir Saterdag. Gaan en doen jou ding soos net jy dit kan doen. Wys die Engelse wie is baas. Ons almal staan solied agter julle.
Jy moet elke oomblik daarvan geniet, dit is hoekom jy daar is en rugby speel.
Jy bly ons hero.
Ek is baie lief vir jou.