Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk may not be available for selection for the end-of-year tour to Europe in November.

According to The Guardian, De Klerk’s Premiership club Sale Sharks are expecting him back once the Rugby Championship comes to an end this weekend.

The report states that Sale, who sit bottom of the Premiership log, have negotiated a first-call on him next month in return for releasing him for the entirety of the Rugby Championship.

As the Boks’ first match against England falls outside of the official Test window, they could be without several of their overseas-based players at Twickenham.

De Klerk’s potential unavailability means that coach Rassie Erasmus could be forced into trying different options in the Tests against England, France, Scotland and Wales.

Bulls youngster Embrose Papier has mostly deputised for De Klerk, but has been used sparingly in the Championship, while Ivan van Zyl and the Lions’ Ross Cronje have also been in the squad.

Photo: Steve Diamond/Gallo Images