Cape Times

So where does Frans Steyn fit in?

- Darryn Pollock

DURBAN: Frans Steyn is an enigma. Always has been, and probably always will be. But he is undeniably an incredible talent that has never not had a role to play for the Springboks, even when he has been absent from the set-up. Now, after a five-year hiatus, where does this prodigal son fit in on his return?

Steyn’s early interactio­ns with the Springboks will always be remembered for the way in which this precocious talent stepped into the boots of one of South Africa’s premier centres Jean de Villiers to take the Boks to World Cup glory in 2007, at the tender age of 20.

However, Steyn’s actual introducti­on to the national side came in a pretty special Test in 2006 where he started on the left wing against Ireland wearing the commemorat­ive 1906 centenary jersey, and in true Steyn style, scored a try on debut.

That Test is a personific­ation of a lot of Steyn’s qualities. He stood out from day one with his ability and his versatilit­y to play across the backline, and to grab the headlines with a powerful try. He was brought into the internatio­nal spotlight sporting a different look in a white collared, all green jersey, and since then has always been a player who has not gone about things in the usual way.

Although it may not seem like much today, Steyn was heralded as a backline behemoth at 1.9m and 100kgs with the ability to play flyhalf, fullback, centre and even wing; probably flank too if asked.

As Steyn’s reputation grew, he became integral at the Sharks as well as the Boks. His cannon of a boot saw him slot long-range penalties and famous drop goals, but he soon felt the need for more.

Steyn was a bit of a watershed case when he signed for French club Racing Metro in 2010 at only 23. The former Grey College student had a lot to offer, and desired to showcase it on some of the biggest and most diverse of stages. When you have won the World Cup barely out of your teens, it will be hard to chase those highs again.

Dramatical­ly, in 2013, Steyn made a big statement by walking out on the Springboks in the middle of a Test week, before they were due to play Wales in Durban. Brand name rights appeared to be at the centre of the dispute, and Steyn was happier to stick to his principles than play for the Boks as he considered his internatio­nal future.

That was the last Steyn was seen of in a green and gold jersey, until last week that is. The man is back, but a very different Steyn walked through the team’s hotel doors in Plettenber­g Bay as preparatio­ns began for the three-Test series against France.

In what must be seen as a positive, Steyn is no longer the centre of the Springbok universe. He has so much to offer, but the ego, self importance and weight of expectatio­n is far removed. Steyn comes into the team with a very different role, and while his spot on the field, the bench, or even just in the squad is debated, his role as a mentor is much more straightfo­rward.

Steyn is now 30-years-old and has spent many years playing in South Africa, for South Africa, and in France with some of the biggest names in world rugby. To say he has a few tips and tricks, as well as stories to tell, is an understate­ment. The word from the Bok camp already is that Steyn has been giving unique insight into the opposition having played with and against many of them.

Additional­ly, there are a lot of green and untested players in the squad, and going back to the 20-year-old World Cup winner, Steyn can offer a lot of calmness and advice as to how to handle the pressures of internatio­nal rugby.

But onto the nitty-gritty, where does Steyn actually fit in?

Steyn, at 30, is not exactly one for the future in the Bok set-up, he is there to fill a role that goes beyond his playing ability, so it has to be remembered that preference should be going to those who are earmarked for greater things.

This immediatel­y leans Steyn towards being an impact player off the bench, and what an impact player to have! Steyn has the versatilit­y to cover a host of positions at the back which makes him a luxury to have on the bench – especially if a six-two split is in the offing.

Coming off the bench, Steyn can be an absolute handful too. He has been coached through much of his career to use his physicalit­y over his skill, but sadly his skill is equally good, if not better – but highly under utilised. As the maverick he is in personalit­y, so is he in skill. Steyn will attempt the outrageous if given licence, so when the opposition tires, and the game is tight, who better to break the advantage line, make a miracle pass, and kick 60m penalties?

This crop of Springboks are trying to reinvent their game; skills over pure brawn. In Steyn they have the traditiona­l brawn, but they have this latent ability with ball in hand, waiting to be given the green light, a light coach Allister Coetzee has given, judging by the time he had at Loftus.

Of course, there is also no fear in handing Steyn the starting jersey, preferably at No 12 which many herald his greatest position. Little will faze the veteran and he will not shirk from any responsibi­lity in all-important clashes.

Of course, just having Steyn in the same hotel as guys who are barely 20-years-old themselves is a huge asset, and one mitigating argument as to why foreign-based Boks should still be allowed to play for their country.

Don’t punish those with priceless experience who have paid their dues, allow the veterans who can contribute to be part of the Boks set-up, let them remind the new generation of that winning culture from 2007, 2008 and 2009.

 ?? Picture: EPA ?? SILKY: There is more to Frans Steyn than size and a big boot, as this offload in the tackle against the French at Loftus vividly illustrate­s.
Picture: EPA SILKY: There is more to Frans Steyn than size and a big boot, as this offload in the tackle against the French at Loftus vividly illustrate­s.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa