South Africa scrum-half Faf de Klerk has agreed a new contract at Sale that will tie him to the Sharks until 2023.

The world player of the year nominee has been a success since his arrival at the AJ Bell Stadium in 2017 and was able to relaunch his Springboks career on the strength of his Gallagher Premiership form.

De Klerk, a creative and irrepressible half-back, returned to the international arena in the summer when he emerged as a star of a 2-1 series victory over England.

“It’s humbling to know a club wants to extend your contract, even though you still have more than a year left on your current one!” De Klerk said.

“I would not have re-signed if I did not enjoy it in the north west and really do believe in what we are trying to achieve at Sale.”