Steyn stalling on Sharks deal
2 Feb 2009
Reports that Frans Steyn could be heading to Europe as early as October have been strengthened by the fact that he has held off on a contract extension with the Sharks.
The 21-year-old’s contract with the Durban franchise ends in October. Under IRB regulations he is allowed to negotiate with potential suitors, and his agent confirmed to weekend newspapers that there has been significant interest in him from European clubs, admitting to Sondag that Steyn was considering an offer from French second division club Racing Metro.
To their credit, the Sharks have not dragged their feet in trying to secure the services of one of the country’s most prodigious talents – with their initial offer reportedly tabled midway through 2008. Steyn was open to considering a one year extension (until the end of 2010) – further evidence perhaps that he is keen on the challenge, and financial rewards, of playing abroad in the very near future.
“The negotiations with Frans are ongoing,” Sharks CEO Brian van Zyl told keo.co.za. “Frans hasn’t given us any indication of his feelings on staying or going yet. Neither has he given us a timeframe in which he’ll make a decision.
“I’ve heard that there is interest in Frans from European clubs, although no formal approach has been made by any club to the Sharks. Obviously we can’t compete financially with contract offers from Europe, but we hope there are other factors, like the lure of playing for the Springboks and good management here (at the Sharks) that could strengthen our position in the negotiation process.”
Racing Metro have reportedly offered Steyn a contract valued at in excess of R4 million per season. An insider the Paris-based club has confirmed to keo.co.za that they are “extremely keen” to bag Steyn.
“The senior management have thrown his name around a bit recently. They’re obviously excited about the prospect of having a player of that calibre at their disposal,” the source said. “The boys have been talking a bit as well and obviously everybody is waiting in anticipation to see what happens there.”
The thinking at Racing Metro is that Steyn is a direct replacement for veteran flyhalf Andrew Merhtens, but that he will be able to cover in the centres and at fullback.
Racing are currently top of the Pro D2, four points clear of Albi with 12 matches remaining in the season. It’s logical to suggest that Steyn will wait to see whether they gain promotion to the Top 14 before making a decision on his future. It would be inconceivable to think that one of the world’s finest young players would be content with playing in the French second division, although Victor Matfield’s move to Toulon in 2008 proved the adage that every man has his price.
What’s more, now that the big spending bosses of European clubs know that Steyn is not closed to contract offers, the Sharks should expect mounting competition for his signature. How they and the Springbok management convince him to stay will be seen in due course. After all, what do you get for a player who has won the World Cup at 20?
The irony is that winning the Super 14 (Steyn was in the Sharks side who lost in the 2007 final) would be counter-productive to the negotiations with Steyn. He would then have won every major title there is to be won with the union, making an assault on the Top 14 or Premiership crown more appealing. Let us also not discount overtures from Australian franchises now that they are permitted to recruit one marquee foreigner.
Given his age, Steyn won’t be completely lost to South African rugby should he decide to leave. He’ll return in a couple of years in his prime, but Steyn’s coach at the Sharks, John Plumtree, stressed the point of concern best in a recent interview with keo.co.za, saying: “It’s crucial that the best players in South Africa are playing here. Having a French, English or Australian club benefiting from players we’ve developed just doesn’t make sense. We have to find a way to keep them here. But that’s difficult, almost impossible given the sums of money they are being offered.”
For the sake of South African rugby, let’s hope the heart rules the head in this instance.
By Ryan Vrede
391 Comments
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2 Feb 2009, 23:22 pm
#334 SodaJoe: I think that’s a pretty good forecast.
2 Feb 2009, 23:23 pm
#345 SodaJoe: not Mitchell even though he’s coached England before. Woodward got rid of him and he’s not well liked at Force. I still think Mallet will coach England in future, if only because he was born in England. I would accept Plumtree if he wins the S14 but Deans is an Aussie now so no thanks!
#346 SodaJoe: Ireland to win, England second, Wales third Scotland 4th, France 5th, Italia 6th
2 Feb 2009, 23:24 pm
#343 JimT:
I reckon professionalism is devastating rugby union just like it has already done with soccer
The English Premier League is deemed the cream of the pro crop, yet when it comes to internationals, the national side gets spanked and can’t even make the Euro finals.
If it weren’t for all this money hankering capitalism ruining the sport, the All Blacks would be a powerful force and not one in decline, England would have to resort to her own talent to foster and bring through the club system, and SA and Aus wouldn’t be scampering to protect their talent pool from dwindling and decimating across to Europe like the AB’s are doing
Cross pollination of talent and potential is good for countries like Argentina and Pacific Islands to mix it in the bigger leagues but the preservation of tradition and strength is getting wilted away in the bigger playing nations through the clubs eking away at the marrow of the national systems and traditions.
2 Feb 2009, 23:24 pm
#340 Big Hit: yeah that would be a good pick. What about Deans?
2 Feb 2009, 23:26 pm
#341 SodaJoe: LOL. Looks like surgery for you,. And you have to pay for replacement of the lam-post
2 Feb 2009, 23:28 pm
#352 Big Hit: Well let the games begin.
I have a nasty little thought in my head that I hope England lose just to show the RFU what idiots they are, but that would be mean spirited.
2 Feb 2009, 23:28 pm
#348 JimT: yes, read the Times, he is in Vermont healing his knee
#350 SodaJoe: he’s already qualified but seems to be having a tough time displacing Andy Farrell. You guys have BJ Botha, should bring him home, he is doing well.
2 Feb 2009, 23:29 pm
I’m not much of a Barritt fan though he could prove to be quite an asset for England in time to come, he has the type game that could suit the English structured approach,
I think for us he would have been a waste, we have plenty more instinctive type runners and play makers, but in the English setup he could just flourish with consistent support and game time.
2 Feb 2009, 23:31 pm
#353 yliad: Bud – it’s not the lack of talent or the opportunity, it’s the coaching.
England have terrible coaches, because until Capello you had to be English, not necessarily the best. Watch England.
But my point is coaching.
2 Feb 2009, 23:31 pm
So long – out
2 Feb 2009, 23:32 pm
#353 yliad: I agree with your sentiments Skoppie. But I don’t see the trend changing. The $$ speak volumes & that’s what the clubs will opt for to chase down the paying supporters.
2 Feb 2009, 23:33 pm
#353 yliad: Have to disagree there, our football team has plenty of talent but it had a **** manager (who is still failing with Mexico), now we have a good manager the results are coming in. The same is true of our rugby team, we haven’t had a proper coach since Woodward. I don’t think the All Blacks are in decline, they don’t seem that way to me, they’re at the same level they’ve always been at, doing well in the 3N, Lions tour, EOYT but not quite cutting it at RWCs.
2 Feb 2009, 23:33 pm
#357 Big Hit: That’s the physio with the excellent record. The guy that fixed up Charlie H?
2 Feb 2009, 23:34 pm
#360 yliad: Cheers Skoppie
2 Feb 2009, 23:34 pm
#357 Big Hit: Geez. Mike Tindall makes Andy Farrell look like a carthorse.
2 Feb 2009, 23:35 pm
#360 yliad: Bye bud.
2 Feb 2009, 23:35 pm
#362 Big Hit: Aye.
2 Feb 2009, 23:36 pm
#362 Big Hit: That’s the fairest assessment I’ve seen from you BH on the ABs. Well done.
2 Feb 2009, 23:37 pm
#358 yliad: I hope he comes through quick because 12 is not a position of strength for us.
#361 JimT: yes, the players go where the money is. Its great to see them all playing in one league from my perspective. I don’t think SA has really anything to fear because they are in the same timezone, NZ/Aus perhaps have a little more reason to be worried.
2 Feb 2009, 23:38 pm
#362 Big Hit: I don’t think the All Blacks are in decline, they don’t seem that way to me, they’re at the same level they’ve always been at, doing well in the 3N, Lions tour, EOYT but not quite cutting it at RWCs.
Have you been taking extra Zoloft?
2 Feb 2009, 23:38 pm
#363 JimT: thats him
2 Feb 2009, 23:40 pm
#369 Big Hit: I agree. BB will bring out teh best in his 10 & 13 (and you know I like that in a 12). He’s way, way better than anyone wearing inside center jersey for a while.
Flyhalf is big problem, and I know that you love Jonny, but unfortunately he’s pretty much done now. Pity. Wonderful rugby player.
2 Feb 2009, 23:40 pm
#370 SodaJoe: hehe, its true though. They’ve hardly been getting worse, have they?
2 Feb 2009, 23:40 pm
#370 SodaJoe: LOL. I’m still picking myself off the floor. There’s hope for our friend BH yet
2 Feb 2009, 23:42 pm
#369 Big Hit: That’s true from a selfish point of view it must be fun to see all these players in the same league. Making up for what we missed in the past.
2 Feb 2009, 23:43 pm
#372 SodaJoe: he’s only 29, Mike Catt is still playing at 38 but agree his injury record is not good. Toby Flood and Danny Cipriani will do ok I think especially when the latter regains form. Stephen Meyler (Saints) is also a good player.
2 Feb 2009, 23:43 pm
#372 SodaJoe: That remains to be seen. he’s a tough cookie, is Jonny.
2 Feb 2009, 23:44 pm
#373 Big Hit: Nothing get’s me more irritated than South Africans predicted the demise of the All Blacks.
No matter how we obfuscate, they are the benchmark.
Which doesn’t mean that I don’t think we’re going to beat them twice this year. And if we had a tighthead prop …….
2 Feb 2009, 23:44 pm
#375 JimT: I think it will be good for rugby, it will gain popularity in other countries if its a good spectacle.
2 Feb 2009, 23:45 pm
#376 Big Hit: You know I have my doubts about Cipriani. Not sure he’s top notch material.
2 Feb 2009, 23:46 pm
#378 SodaJoe: yeah you guys need to even the score up, they’re pulling away. They need to win some RWCs though, imagine you won another in 2011
2 Feb 2009, 23:47 pm
#378 SodaJoe: I suppose that’s natural. But deep down I suspect they really respect the ABs & I’m sure the feeling is mutual. But you know hope springs eternal
2 Feb 2009, 23:47 pm
#380 JimT: time JimT time, he’s been dropped for this weekend, needs to get back some form.
2 Feb 2009, 23:48 pm
#381 Big Hit: NZ would withdraw from the UN if that happens
2 Feb 2009, 23:48 pm
ok guys, going to get an early night, have a good one!
2 Feb 2009, 23:49 pm
#383 Big Hit: I didn’t know that. Doesn’t help his confidence. Is this all about contract negotiations or loss of form?
2 Feb 2009, 23:50 pm
#385 Big Hit: Cheers BH
2 Feb 2009, 23:52 pm
Time for me to check out & mull over these 6N predictions. See y’all on the other side of the hill.
3 Feb 2009, 00:35 am
#376 Big Hit: It’s not an age thing. His channel was specifically targeted beacuse he was 1. A fearless & excellent tackler & 2. 150% essential to the cause. So he’s “damaged”.
3 Feb 2009, 03:56 am
#91 mbaxman93: Hmmm, it well be that JdV last until the next World Cup, otherwise 12 and 13 can easily be filled in by Adi and Jacque Fourie…we are fortunate that quality centres are in abundance in SA! Steyn would probably make a better 15.
3 Feb 2009, 19:48 pm
#314 yliad: thanks, but might be a complete nutter by the time I get to grd 12!
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