Why Steyn is leaving Paris

– South Africa’s mostcapped flyhalf Morne Steyn (above) claimed the lack of squad unity is to blame for Stade Francais sitting bottom of the French Top 14 table, after playing his last game for the club.

Steyn, 35, who won 66 caps for the Springboks, will return to former side the Bulls after six years with the Parisians who have managed only two victories from their opening nine games of the season.

“Not everyone is on the same page. Everyone is not following the same things we want to do. That’s the main reason,” said Steyn after Sunday’s derby defeat to Racing 92.

Steyn said it was a different case with the Springbok squad who lifted the Rugby World Cup in Japan earlier this month.

“All their arrows are in one direction. If someone makes a mistake, the other guy is fixing it for him,” he said.

“You can see the vibe of the team has been great and everybody is playing for each other. I feel here at Stade Francais is not the same,” he added.

Stade coach Heyneke Meyer, who has a league-leading budget of €40 million has received the backing of the club’s owner Hans-Peter Wild despite the dismal start to the campaign.

Meyer has known Steyn since he was a teenager having worked with him at the Bulls, where they won a Super Rugby title, and with the Springboks before the 52-year-old joined the French capital city outfit in 2018.

“Morne is a warrior. He played so many Test matches just from hard work. He’s an inspiration to players and will help the young fly-halves in South Africa.” – AFP