Franse Steyn might be headed for Japan?

According to a report, Springbok and Sharks centre Francois Steyn is set to miss 2014's Rugby Championship for a campaign in Japan's Top League.

Sport24 believe the 2007 World Cup winner will return to Super Rugby in 2015 and is available to the Springboks for this year's November Tests.

"Frans didn't want to engage in any negotiations without our consent and because of the unique circumstances we allowed it," South African Rugby Union CEO Jurie Roux told the website.

"We have the assurance that he'll be available for the World Cup." 

It looks like we'll have more players fancying their chances of making money abroad and still get a chance to feature in Super rugby plus Bok selection.  Steyn Looks like he's picking up  his previous form, which I think leaving the Sharks for Japan could be  a few step backwards.    

 ntanga 
Steyn's form this year was poor - if anybody is really objective about it he would realize it.  Going to France - he came back hugely over-weight and slow and even though he got his weight down - he has not regained his speed.
I think a stint in Japan would only add to present deficiencies.  Virtually all players coming back from Japan has been considerably worse than they were before departure - even Foutie du Preez is worse than he was before his departure.
They all seems to have lost speed and apparently does not follow the training regime they have to follow here.   Then they expect to get a free ride into the Springbok team based on reputation.   That is what I call real bullshit.           

If he can't get enough game time in SA he will not help his chances of being picked for the RWC. The only player I saw return from Japan & still be up to standard right away was Tamati Ellison. When he returned to NZ he had lost next to nothing. Others have returned & been well below their former standard. Kaino may be another exception.

 "We have the assurance that he will be available for the 2015 WC!"
Who gives a fuck. He will not be good enough by then. He needs plenty more game time in Super rugby and Rugby Championship to get better. All his progress he has made since Jake took over will be undone. South Africa's job is to get a couple of those youngsters ready to take the step up. It is not Serfontein. Possibly Esterhuizen and a few other big ball carriers will come of age and mature by then.