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FORUM / RUGBY /  Frans Steyn doesn't expect to make the Bok team

Frans Steyn doesn't expect to make the Bok team

Started by oimatey4 REPLIES168 VIEWS· 16 Mar 2015, 16:39
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OI
oimatey
Pro1,870 posts
OI
oimateyPro1,870 posts
16 Mar 2015, 16:39
#1
16 Mar 2015, 16:39#1

Cape Town - Sharks centre Frans Steyn does not expect to run out in Springbok colours again.

Steyn, 27, recently returned to Super Rugby action following a stint with Japanese club, Toshiba Brave Lupus.

He last played for the Springboks against the World XV at Newlands last June, before withdrawing himself from the squad because of a contractual dispute with the South African Rugby Union (SARU).

In an interview with Netwerk24, Steyn said he doesn’t see himself adding to his 55 Test caps.

“It’s always a privilege to play for the Boks. However, with my move to Japan I accepted that my days in a Springbok jersey were finally behind me. I’ve made peace with that,” said Steyn.

“Players like Damian de Allende (Stormers) and Jan Serfontein (Bulls) have in the meantime also put their hands up and proved they are world class.

“If Jean de Villiers (Bok captain) recovers in time, which I hope and pray is the case, then he picks himself. My main focus is to be included in the Sharks team, play my part and be proud of the team’s performances.”


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clevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CL
clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
16 Mar 2015, 19:49
#2
16 Mar 2015, 19:49#2
 oimatey
I posted the same article yesterday I think.   In essence I think Steyn has a problem - never a speed junkie he lost pace and his weight since his return from France in 2012 was a serious problem in 2013 and 2014.   He was physically not up to standard and it showed in his performances.   
His heavy weight caused a knee injury that could not be treated medically because it was related to his fat problem.   This year he looks physically better to play in sport - but I think he still thinks that his best position is not at center - but at full back.
The issue before the tests last year in June - was more likely the result of Meyer telling Steyn he is not selectable anymore and Steyn losing his cool as a result.   I deduce that from the general trend of his discussions in another newspaper article posted last week - as well as the above.  
This guy is only 26 years of age - but it seems to me that he started his international career early and he is fading out of international selections early as well.   I am seriously worried what Williams will do to him this weekend.    
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oimatey
Pro1,870 posts
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oimateyPro1,870 posts
16 Mar 2015, 20:19
#3
16 Mar 2015, 20:19#3
Your list of "never in my Bok team" is getting smaller !
Bakkies - retired
F Steyn - doesn't expect to be included
M Steyn - probably no longer needs to be considered with the form of Pollard and Lambie
Alberts - struggling to stay healthy

Leaves old Matfield. Someone I think was almost a certainty to be a starting lock for the Boks anyway, but with PSDT out and even Etzebeth struggling with his health is now guaranteed to be there. 
You'll just have to grin and bear it - watching his flowing locks poking from under his SA flag scrum cap, walking around with his shoulders back
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oimatey
Pro1,870 posts
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oimateyPro1,870 posts
17 Mar 2015, 22:03
#4
17 Mar 2015, 22:03#4
Continuing the theme ..... 5 out of 5 rugby experts think Frans should be retained by the Boks anyway

CORNÉ KRIGE (former Stormers and Bok flank)

'If he plays well enough, he should be included. Not only has he represented South Africa at two World Cups, Frans is also the most experienced centre available for selection. In my mind, I can't see him not going to the World Cup. He's a dream selection for any coach and it will be unfair of Saru to expect Heyneke Meyer to overlook Frans, especially if Meyer wants him in the squad. Surely the dispute between the parties is not insurmountable. Frans still needs a bit of work, form wise, but that'll come once he's adjusted to the pace of Super Rugby again. His long-distance kicking is unrivalled in world rugby, and most teams will fear conceding penalties against the Boks. There's no reason Frans shouldn't wear a Springbok jersey again.'

JIMMY STONEHOUSE (former Pumas coach)

'Yes! His experience will add value to the Boks. He's looking very fit and much more mobile than in previous years. He will have a big role to play at the World Cup in a few months time. He will benefit from knowing the Bok set-up and won't need much of an introduction. His stint in France [with Racing Métro] allows him to know the wet conditions and it's widely known that these will be the conditions in the World Cup. Steyn's attributes of carrying the ball over the advantage line, moving around the field, strong defence, and the ability to kick match-winning penalties from 60m, will entirely benefit the Boks.'

BRAAM VAN STRAATEN (former Stormers and Bok flyhalf)

'Of course he should be recalled, he's the best inside back South Africa has ever produced and with the right attitude, Frans Steyn can be the best centre in world rugby. The Boks definitely need his services if they want to win the Rugby Championship and the World Cup. Damian de Allende is an excellent player, but Steyn is a proven match-winner. And with the World Cup in England, his kicking could potentially be the key factor in the Boks' campaign. Frans's all-round ability to attack, defend, kick, combined with his strong ball-carrying, has him in the inside lane for the 12 jersey.'

WAYNE FYVIE (former Sharks and Bok flank)

'Frans should be recalled, without a shadow of a doubt. He is a complete player who has the sort of big-match temperament very rarely seen in South African players. From what I've seen in the two Super Rugby matches he's played in, he looks in good shape. He's lost weight and looks much fitter, so obviously the time in Japan has done him good. He adds value to any team he plays in and injury permitting, I hope he gets the chance to do so again for the Boks, he deserves it. He's a class act on the field.'

ADRIAN JACOBS (former Sharks and Bok centre)

'Well, if he's not selected, it'll be a travesty. On the field, Frans is one of those players who brings out the best in his teammates. And if Heyneke Meyer wants him in the Bok squad, he should demand the administrators and the player resolve their issues at any cost. We can't have petty politics hamper our quest for World Cup glory. Obviously, Frans has to come to the party and own up to the fact he also contributed to this whole saga and could have handled things differently. A compromise is needed for the sake of Bok rugby. Frans Steyn was born to perform on the big stage, and with no disrespect to Jan Serfontein and Damian de Allende, they just don't have the all-round qualities he has. With the uncertainty over Jean de Villiers's availability for the global showpiece, Steyn's experience and leadership in that midfield is a must. He still has a lot to offer at Test level.'

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clevermike
Coach57,555 posts
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clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
17 Mar 2015, 22:52
#5
17 Mar 2015, 22:52#5
 All agog about experience but very little about his performances.  He could perhaps do better - being in a better physical shape than he3 ever was since his return from France, but will he be a better present player.   The way De Allende played the fool with him last week makes me wonder whether he would be successful. 
One cannot play a player because of his experience only - his performance should count more than experience.   Lets face facts -
*  Steyn was over-weight, slow and basically unfit when he came back from France and had a mediocre performance record in the tests played in 2012.   His deficient physical condition probably had a bearing on his injury - that put him out of all rugby, the rest of 2012.
*   Coming back from injury to the Sharks team in 2013 - he was in terrible physical shape.  Hugely overweight at 118 kgs, his coach at the time instructed him to get his weight down to 105 kgs - the ideal weight for a player of his height.  Things did not go well in 2013 and after poor performances in four successive matches - he was dropped form the Sharks starting line-up and sometimes came for short periods from the bench.  After the injury to Jordaan that year he played in two matches for the Sharks at center - in the second match he suffered a serious injury  possdibly also related to his overweight problem - essentially putting him out of rugby for the rest of the year.
*   Steyn got back in the Sharks Super 15 team in Super 15 and was extremely lucky he had White as the Sharks coach.  He was still grossly overweight and statistically he was in 2014 one of the worst centers in Super 15, with a virtually non-existent record in attacking, a poor defensive record and the worst record in ball possession losses of any starting center and flyhalf playing in Super 15.   His excessive weight caused a serious knee problem for him and that impacted on both his defense and deficient pace.   It was medically not treatable because it was the result of excessive weight - not any other condition.  Be it as it may - his kicking at goal was a positive - especially long distance kicking that other players would struggle to make - but the rest of his performances were deplorably poor.
*   In August 2014 he went off to Japan and came back about three weeks ago in the best physical shape he was in for the past four years.   Being in better shape at 106 kgs his knee problem was to a large extent eliminated.  He had thus far had two games in Super 15.  Unfortunately he came up against De Allende in the first game and was played the fool with by De Allende.   I say unfortunately because in his next game DE Allende showed up deficiencies in S-B Williams as well.   The result was that Steyn's performance in that match was inadequate - to state it mildly.   In his next match he was up against a lesser-known player and looked much better than in his first game.  However, there are still serious question marks about his defense and his pace is also not really up to standard.   It may be possible for Steyn to improve his performances as the series goes on - and I hope he does - but at this stage there is no reason to believe that his performances justify his return to international rugby - irrespective of what the ex-players have to say.  If experience is the only norm for teams election - then international teams will consist of mostly over 33 years of age or older players.  What is more important that experience and performance should go hand-in-hand - and the former is not in evidence in the case of Steyn over the psst three years - so he will have a lot of convincing to do insofar as performance on top level is concerned.  Thus far there is very little to go on in that regard in evidence at present and it would be interesting to see how he progresses in Super 15 this year .                      
    
— END OF THREAD —

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