It is easy to assume that big men can't run, but somehow Francois Klopper, who plays tighthead for the Tuks Varsity Cup team, has not heard the rumour. 

On a good day, the 1.89 metres tall prop can weigh 124kg. But he is not letting his size slow him down. Tired is seemingly also not a word in his vocabulary. So far, he has played a full 80 minutes in four of Tuks's Varsity Cup encounters. And it is not as if he has only been scrumming.
 
Klopper loves to be in the thick of things. Running with the ball like a backline player and making "big hits" is his thing. There are videos on the internet that proves it. He has got a good reason why he does what he does. 

"Nowadays, there are so many good rugby players. I have found that having an X-factor is a way to ensure you are the player on the field. However, a good prop will always be judged on his scrumming abilities. Trying to keep the loosehead down so the hooker can't see the ball. But to me, it is also essential to try and improve my running skills as a prop."

Klopper takes his inspiration from the legendary Springbok, Os du Randt. He rates Du Randt as the one who changed every young player's perception of what it takes to be a good prop.

The Tuks player admits that playing 80 minutes does take its toll. 

"Playing prop means your neck is often badly bruised after a game. One's ears also take a 'hammering'. But every rugby player who loves the game knows that pain is part and parcel of rugby."

According to Klopper, he started his rugby career playing eight-man. The turning point of his career was possibly a conversation he had with his dad when still at primary school. 

"My dad suggested that I consider playing tighthead prop as only a few ever get to master the techniques required to be a good tighthead. I have basically ever since been playing prop. I have dabbled playing as a loosehead prop but then decided to stick playing as a tighthead as it takes time to learn all the tricks that are required to be good.”

Klopper seemingly has established himself as one of the tightheads to watch in South Africa. He represented the Griffons at the Cravenweek and played for the Sharks under-19 and under-20 teams. He has also played two games for the Sharks in SuperSport Rugby Challenge. Last year, he made his Currie Cup debut for the Blue Bulls.