Versatile Steyn a welcome arrival
EXPERIENCED STAR JOINS SPRINGBOK CAMP Open discussion with coach Coetzee will reap dividends.
He has not always had the best of relationships with former Springbok coaches, but the experience and versatility offered by Frans Steyn could add much-needed value to the national set-up under Allister Coetzee.
As one of just four overseas players in the Bok camp, Steyn expressed his commitment after joining the group in Plettenberg Bay on Wednesday from his French club Montpellier.
“I am looking forward to getting to know the other squad members a bit better during the next couple of days,” Steyn said.
Having turned out as a teenager at the 2007 World Cup, a more experienced and mature Steyn, now 30, said he had an open discussion with Coetzee.
“Coach Allister and I had a good chat and he told me I can still make a contribution to the Springboks,” Steyn said.
“And I said in turn I would do my best for the team after I joined up with them.”
It remained unclear exactly how he would be utilised, with the versatile Steyn able to play in all backline positions except scrumhalf.
Though he played the last of his 53 Tests in 2012 under previous coach Heyneke Meyer, Coetzee felt the addition of Steyn would be hugely beneficial to the side ahead of their opening Test against France at Loftus Versfeld next week.
With players like fullback Andries Coetzee, wing Courtnall Skosan and scrumhalf Ross Cronje expected to make their Test debuts, Coetzee believed Steyn could add the right mix of experience.
“Frans comes with a wealth of experience and I am delighted that he has joined us as we continue with our preparations for the French series,” Coetzee said.
“With so many new faces in the squad’s backline it really is a huge bonus to have a player of the calibre of Frans joining us.”