Frans is a natural leader, confident and mature in the way he handles himself. He has the ability to bring out the best in those around him.
Frans went to Paarl Boys High, which has produced many Springbok players. It is one of the top rugby playing schools in South Africa, steeped in rugby tradition. He captained his school’s First XV in 2009 before joining the Western Province Rugby Institute in 2010.
He played for the WP U19 team in 2010 and quickly progressed to senior ranks at both WP and Stormers level. Frans made both his senior Western Province and Stormers debuts in 2011 at the age of 20, very young for a prop forward. However it was the following year when he fully cemented his place in both sides.
He played in every Stormers match during the 2012 Super Rugby season and only missed one match in Western Province's successful 2012 Currie Cup Premier Division campaign, as Province upset the Natal Sharks 25-18 in Durban to become a Currie Cup winner at the age of 21. He provided injury cover for the South Africa squad on their tour of Australasia.
Frans, who had been involved in several South Africa squads since the appointment of Heyneke Meyer as head coach in 2012 without making any appearances, finally made his test debut on 9 November 2013 against Wales in Cardiff.
He aquitted himself well despite facing the hugely experienced Gethin Jenkins on the other side of the scrum.
He retained his place for the following week's match against Scotland in Edinburgh.
STATS:
Position: Prop
Physical: 1.90, 122kg
Born: 14/03/91, Paarl
Province: Western Province
