Supporting Steyn
10 Feb 2009
Frans Steyn needs to be backed. It’s a plea more than a command, and one shared by the vast majority in the South African rugby fraternity.
He is an exceptional talent and has proven this at Super 14 and Test level, where he shone on the biggest stage of all, the World Cup. The fact that he was 20 years old and playing in a position unfamiliar to him bears testament to what a special talent we’ve produced.
However, 2008 saw him dabble in mediocrity. There were outstanding performances, particularly in the Currie Cup, to remind his critics of his class. But there can be no denying that he regressed from the heights of 2007. Mitigating factors there are aplenty, the primary one being the failure of his coaches to settle on a set position for him.
That problem seems to be alleviated, with Sharks coach John Plumtree confirming that Steyn is set for an extended run at inside centre. Now it’s time to back the boy. That’s the rallying cry from SA Rugby magazine’s panel of experts – Alan Solomons, Murray Mexted, Eddie Jones and John Plumtree.
All believe Steyn to be a rare talent capable of dominating the game in a manner few have if he’s given the right support structures, time to settle and freedom to express himself. In the new issue of SA Rugby magazine, on sale Wednesday, they explain what’s gone wrong in the past and plot the way forward for the best young buck to emerge in the past decade.
Also in the new issue:
– A schoolboy sensation for Bishops, Nick Koster was always destined for greatness. Expect him to live up to the hype.
– USA Eagles captain Todd Clever turned down a lucrative offer with a European club to play Super 14 rugby for the Lions. The flanker talks about that crucial decision, learning Afrikaans, his new nickname and what it’s like to live in Johannesburg.
– Meyer Bosman on playing flyhalf for the Cheetahs, the team’s defensive problems, injury setbacks, and what he loves about Bloemfontein.
– Ex-flanker Derick Kuün believes 2009 will be his breakthrough season at hooker.
– New Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder on why his understanding of the team’s culture offsets his lack of coaching experience, whether he’ll be speaking to Robbie Deans during the Super 14, what he will do differently from Deans, the massive loss of Dan Carter and the ELVs.
– When the Queensland Reds poached All Blacks flank Daniel Braid from the Auckland-based Blues, it ushered in a new era of Super Rugby.
– Joe van Niekerk reveals how his playboy lifestyle affected his rugby career and insists he’s not the same person he was 18 months ago. But is this change we can believe in?
– Injury-prone England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson has gone from tortured soul to enlightened being with help from mentor Steve Black.
– Wales No 8 Andy Powell wouldn’t be playing rugby today if it wasn’t for Springbok selector Ian McIntosh.
– The budding relationship between the Stormers and English club Saracens is bound to reap mutual benefit in years to come.
– Robert Ebersohn has no regrets about picking sevens over Super Rugby. The 20-year-old explains why he enjoys working with coach Paul Treu, why the Boks will win the Sevens World Cup in Dubai, and his thoughts on South African Mat Turner playing for the England Sevens side.
To subscribe to SA Rugby magazine click on the subs link on keo.co.za or phone (021) 416-0141
796 Comments
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9 Feb 2009, 09:10 am
Just a reminder:
– Send your letters to SA Rugby mag to judge@hsm.co.za (max 400 words). Please provide your real name and not your keo.co.za nick.
– SA Rugby mag also has a group on Facebook, so join it now if you haven’t already.
10 Feb 2009, 09:19 am
Here we go again…
10 Feb 2009, 09:20 am
yer finally someone speaks out for frans .support the boy!!!!!
10 Feb 2009, 09:22 am
Looks like a very interesting edition except for the cover article…
10 Feb 2009, 09:27 am
STOP MAKING SUCH A FUSS OVER STEYN FFS . The laaitie needs to realise that he doesn’t know everything despite having a World Cup Medal.I still think he is a great prospect, but there is way to much of a fuss around him . I think he should be treated in the media as any other player so he can realise he’s not as special as he thinks he is.
10 Feb 2009, 09:28 am
# pokkel: Maybe then he’ll start playing some decent rugby
10 Feb 2009, 09:28 am
##2 – WP Till I Die:
Agree, talking this Koster kid up again for who knows what…
10 Feb 2009, 09:28 am
I might actually go out and buy this edition – looks like some very good articles.
# mbaxman93:
Come on, loads of people speak out for Frans Steyn! I just don’t think he should be played at inside centre, he should be played at fullback!
10 Feb 2009, 09:42 am
Simon…..Hahahahahahahaha…. How much is Steyn paying you guys for the arse kissing.
Anyway. I said my piece. When Frans loses a game for the Sharks by a moment of pure selfishness, I’ll be there for the “I told you so’s.”
10 Feb 2009, 09:46 am
That Schoolboy derby section looks good. great to see schools getting coverage on keo.co.za
10 Feb 2009, 09:51 am
nee man, why should we back steyn? He should back himself up, are we expected to back nick koster too because he is seen as a ”bishops” cult hero? Nonsense, why aren’t we implored in articles to back burton francis or magic ebersohn or mzwandile stick?
Those guys don’t have praise singers trumpeting their talents, they do it all on the park
so the currie cup is good to be seen as measure for steyn’s ”class” but other player that shine there we’re told the currie cup is watered down and can’t be used as a yardstick to guage one’s aptitude. Get out of here…
When frans plays k@k he should be told, when his limitations are glaring, he should be told and not praised and afforded excuses & time… If you back frans then by all means back earl rose…lol
10 Feb 2009, 09:54 am
Hi. Don’t know if anyone knows but foxsports.com.au hosts a S14 fantasy manager each year. Here’s the link http://s14fantasy.foxsports.com.au/M/home.mc
It’s free and I’ve also started a league for everyone on this site who wants to join. The league code is 1454-258.
10 Feb 2009, 09:56 am
Nice new look, very nice
10 Feb 2009, 10:03 am
I see no reason to back mediocrity.
10 Feb 2009, 10:03 am
Hy lyk soos n moffie
10 Feb 2009, 10:07 am
# Draken: Nee man hou op for vark steaks
10 Feb 2009, 10:07 am
You people are sick! The point of the article is to back him in 1 position. The guy is young. He still has a lot of talent to show. Give this guy a break. I dont think there is any player other than Puke who is slated more….. Really!!
10 Feb 2009, 10:09 am
Steyn has regressed horribly since RWC – everything he does seems so telegraphed.
10 Feb 2009, 10:10 am
# hater:
And I will be there to say You can go f@#$%%%%slf when He has a good season! Where were you when Frans helped the Sharks win the CC??? Idiot
10 Feb 2009, 10:12 am
Steyn is a good 15 and we should use him there as Jantjes dont offer us the something special. The springboks will be a better outfit as Steyn offers you something extra. He can catch, kick just as well if not better than Jantjes and his defence and running is strong. He justs need to cut out the silly mistakes he does every now and then and maybe learn to pass when someone is in a better position than him.
Jean, Jaque and Adi is the best we have and will for another two y
10 Feb 2009, 10:12 am
years*
10 Feb 2009, 10:15 am
# THE MAULER: hey mauler ignore the moron
hater has not only shown himself to be extremely low class in his way he trashes people he does not know
but he shows us his lack of intelligence and his maturity or lack thereof
i have no problem with people that dont like steyn as a rugby player , we all have out favourites.
but when one trashes someone the way some in here do , on should question their integrity
10 Feb 2009, 10:17 am
# THE MAULER: Where were you when he helped them lose the Super 14 in 2007! Where were you when he fcuked up the Barbarians last December? Where were you when he backed passed onto his try line to Jdv, and Keven Mealamu scored a try at Cape Town making it 19 – zip!!!!
But yeah!!!! Frans must be our national HERO!!!! Frans must be crowned KING OF RUGBY!!!!
GOOOOOOO FRANSSSSSSS!!!! OHHHH YEAHHH!!!!
10 Feb 2009, 10:18 am
# sharks_lover: You obviously do not blog often. Will someone tell this guy, or must I?
10 Feb 2009, 10:20 am
# hater: how old ru ????? 2 ?
10 Feb 2009, 10:21 am
# Disa:
jantjes is by far the best fullback in the country ,steyn is no match for him at 15
10 Feb 2009, 10:21 am
# sharks_lover: Oh, but you do not question the integrity of people that personally insult Luke Watson, by swearing and abusing him and calling him and his father names. That group is okay with you then. I like your “integrity”. Smacks of something else if you ask me.
Note. I critisized how Frans plays rugby, not his family, and I did not swear about his private parts. You lot spew filth about Luke, not even discussing his game. But yes. You are Mr “integrity”.
10 Feb 2009, 10:22 am
# hater: He does a stupid thing every now and then but no denial there is alot of talent what would you say?
10 Feb 2009, 10:24 am
# hater:
HIS GAME SUCKS ANYWAY!!! And I do critisise Steyn but you hate the guy!! Thats just sick! You need help! I know a place for you… Its called Groen Dakkies!!! Call them… they will take you with open arms…..
10 Feb 2009, 10:25 am
# st.a.t.w: Jantjes dont offer us anything special except consistancy, a linebreaker fullback is a big advantage in rugby these days as once you go through the first line of defence there is always an oppurtunity and at fullback you have so much space and options. Jantjes catch and do a gary owen that he seldom gets back
10 Feb 2009, 10:26 am
Why is Derrick Kuhn picked ahead of Chilliboy and Maku?
Chilliboy & Maku are both former SA schools hookers.
Both havin been playing hooker all their seriuous careers.
Both come from established rugby schools.
Both are better hookers than Kuhn.
Kuhn could not crack it as a flank.
Kuhn is a make shift hooker.
Kuhn is unlikely to develop physically, this is far as he can take it.
Then Y does he think 2009 will be his year. Probably he is the smallest hooker in the S14 and us South Africans are obsessed with size.
He is White Quota Player (WQP).
10 Feb 2009, 10:26 am
# sharks_lover:
Dont worry…. Hater is actually a huge Frans fan!! She actually stalked him and wanted to marry him but he got a court order for her to stay away and now she out for vengeance!!!
10 Feb 2009, 10:27 am
Why is Derrick Kuhn picked ahead of Chilliboy and Maku?
Chilliboy & Maku are both former SA schools hookers.
Both havin been playing hooker all their seriuous careers.
Both come from established rugby schools.
Both are better hookers than Kuhn.
Kuhn could not crack it as a flank.
Kuhn is a make shift hooker.
Kuhn is unlikely to develop physically, this is far as he can take it.
Then Y does he think 2009 will be his year. Probably he is the smallest hooker in the S14 and us South Africans are obsessed with size.
He is a White Quota Player (WQP).
10 Feb 2009, 10:27 am
# hater:
Hater’s post #27 above is so true.
10 Feb 2009, 10:27 am
I am not saying I dont like Jantjes, i reckon he is very good but dont have the X factor.
10 Feb 2009, 10:36 am
Sjoe, waar het Steyn daai ‘perm’ laat doen … ek is seker al die vrouens is jaloers op sy hardedos.
Komaan Steyn, lyk ten minste soos ‘n rugbyspeler !
Ai, al hierdie vrystatertjies, as hul na skool Durbs toe gaan, dan hak hulle kopppe heeltemal uit. Niks gewoond nie.
Steyn, sny jou hare en begin rugby speel.
10 Feb 2009, 10:37 am
# Disa:
jantjes is miles ahead of steyn ,quicker then steyn more reliable under the high ball,massive boot(exept drop kicks)
you said yourself he’s consistent putting in good performences week in and week out
while f steyn is consestently inconsestent,good game 1 week ,terrible the 2 after that
now ask yourself when you play 5 or 6 tests in a row against the best opposition out there (lions,nz.aus), do you play someone that is consestent or the one that has a 25% chance of winning the game single handedly(75% he might hand the game to the opposition)
10 Feb 2009, 10:37 am
Name one other player that has been thrown into the cauldron as many times as this kid … in many different positions, at many different stages of games, with his team being in very different positions. Name me one????????
Hater, Luke brought everything on himself… many of us backed him for purely his rugby talents. Wish the immature, insecure, attention seeking prick catches a wake up. Similar to Jelena Dokic and he might be forgiven.
Frans has made blunders and magic … all on the field. Not with his mouth … there’s your difference! Stick could have missed that kick in Dubai, it’s the type of thing Frans would have tried and you experts would have sent a lynch mob for the guy.
10 Feb 2009, 10:38 am
firstly i have not bad mouth luke watson or any or player
i dont feel as suppoprters we have to right to trash people
saying someone isnt good enough is one thing , trashing is another
however watson felt the need to trash a people and vommit on somehting they treasure
10 Feb 2009, 10:39 am
# kevin w:
Well said!!
10 Feb 2009, 10:40 am
# st.a.t.w: Of course you know more than Mexted and Jones. They have been singing Jantjes praises for years now ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
10 Feb 2009, 10:46 am
# sharks_lover: you and mauler haven’t told us why we should back steyn, you’re busy calling other people names…
Frans is extremely limited in his game, he shows promise but that’s it promise, burton francis imo has a better all round skills set than frans and his decision making far eclipses frans’ but we don’t here anyone saying he should be in the bok setup, we don’t here that his talent must be fast-tracked and when he flounders we must find a spot for him…
Conrad jantjies plays fullback,is he the best in the country, you can answer that question for urself, frans steyn says he wants to play flyhalf (he even had a whole SASI cover article on it), is he the best @ flyhalf, hell no!
Now why should we back a guy who is not the best in his prefered position? Ad J acobs plays centre, if he is **** @ centre we won’t find him a spot @ 14, he will be dropped! Finish & klaar
Now let’s see you display some integrity and tell us what ur rationale for ”backing’ steyn is
10 Feb 2009, 10:46 am
# Disa: There is talent. No denying. In 2006 I was impressed, and there appeared to be some growth in 2007, he messed their Super 14 chances though.
But in 2008, he became arrogant. I watched games where the Sharks got a penalty, and without waiting to hear what move the Captain, Johan Muller wanted to make, Steyn would grab the ball and kick, and miss.
I thought he might need a talking to, but it has not changed. One would have thought that he would have calmed down and settled into things like Ruan, did, and JP and Victor. Come off the hype of the WC, and do his job. But he didn’t. He has had coaching influence from people all over at various levels and the world, and they still cannot seem to make him be a team player. What young player in the WORLD, gets this kind of opportunaty, and still cannot fire.
Now. If you say, he needs time. Fair enough. But how much, and why does he get it, but other talented youngsters who understand the concept of team playing, never get chance after chance after chance. When is Frans going to step up. 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011? The next 10 years? And why must he keep getting all these bites at the cherry, whilst others are dropped and sent back to play Vodacom Cup, or CC to grow? Something is not right. More over. We must read articles saying, believe and support this guy, ONE MORE TIME…. Well I’m done. I feel that he needs to grow up and get on with his job and a professional rugby player who plays for a team, not personal gain and accolades for himself.
10 Feb 2009, 10:49 am
# kevin w: “Wish the immature, insecure, attention seeking prick catches a wake up.”
POINT MADE. Thanks Kev..
10 Feb 2009, 10:52 am
# Transformation aka Frans Tormation:
Your not giving him a chance…. Did or did he not play very well at the WC??? And who have I called names???
10 Feb 2009, 10:54 am
# Transformation aka Frans Tormation: uhm tell you truth reading all your posts???
you are coloured and always speak up coloured players
why not get off you colour perception and look at people for the talent they have
secondly if you are comparing francis to steyn ?? it shows even more that you lack of rugby knowledge is huge
it also tells me all the rugby experts are all fools all around the world
i mean they all dont want him in their teams……
AMAZING HOW THE OFFERS ARE PILING UP FOR STEYN
AMAZING HOW ALL AROUND THE WORLD STEYN IS REGARDED AS BRILLIANT BY RUGBY FUNDIES
yet by your incredible intelligent self you think him useless
YOU ARE A SMART ONE AINT YOU ??
10 Feb 2009, 10:55 am
We all know Steyn had a very dissapointing S14 2008. He played in 4 different postions and was told a whole bunch of rubbish. give him his chance this year and see what happens. and as for Burten Francis… lets see how he plays in S14 before you compare him to Steyn. Steyn had a great S14 2007. so let it go…..
10 Feb 2009, 10:57 am
# hater: says a lot about your argument when you only respond to the points you can and AVOID the rugby points i made.
I have every right to say how i feel about Luke because he was the one who brought his personal life and views into the spotlight. It’s not South Africa, he would have got the same if not worse in any other country. So that is why i consider hime insecure and immature … and a bit of an attention seeking prick!
10 Feb 2009, 10:58 am
FACT IS STEYN CAN DO 30 GOOD THINGS IN A GAME , MAKE ONE STUPID ERROR AND IS RUBBISHED IN HERE NONE STOP
FOOLS IN HERE TALK ABOUT STEYN IN THE BARBARIAN GAME PLAYING BADLY
I TOO WATCHED THIS GAME AND NO SOUTH AFRICAN PLAYED WELL
BUT YET STEYN COPS ALL THE FLACK
HATER AND TRANSFORMATION EVERY POSTING YOU MAKE IN HERE SHOWS MORE AND MORE WHAT TOTAL IDIOTS YOU ARE
10 Feb 2009, 10:59 am
He did a good stand in job for Jean at the wc07, but now the laaitie can retire because he is becoming very predictable.
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