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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10 Feb 2009, 16:44 pm
# Puma: @431
agree. if we could get the numbers back next to the comment we refer to, it would help not only the person we respind to, but also anyone else thats reading the comment!
hope that they’ll sort it out sooner rather than later.
must say, i’ve been a bit sceptic about the outlay of the site, though.
but, i’m getting used it. have to admit, its not as bad as i first thought.
anyway, well done guys.
hehehehe ek dink 1 of meer van die ouens (jc etc) het so pas aan hulle drankies gestik!
10 Feb 2009, 16:45 pm
# Scrumdown: 437 – now there’s an idea I have had too. Jouba could teach him how to be a fantastic number 15 – he has all the attributes Jouba had with a bit of Honiball thrown in but that is my opinion and I confess to not being as clued up as a lot of the bloggers here.
10 Feb 2009, 16:46 pm
# Puma: I agree that Steyn will play well this season after settling in one position, it will also be good for the national side as JDV will thrive on some healthy competition. Luckily we are playing the sharks first so he won’t as settled on Saturday as he will be when we face you guys in the final later on.
10 Feb 2009, 16:46 pm
# Scrumdown: You are right there may be big surprises and some big scores too. I just hope that there are not fro my Superbru.
10 Feb 2009, 16:47 pm
# SpringbokSarah: Yes I have been through alot of pain for those blue hoops.
10 Feb 2009, 16:47 pm
am i the only one who is not a big fan of this new keo site layout?
and just for giggles, wht can we do with all our billions of keo$’s
10 Feb 2009, 16:48 pm
# Zulusharkess:445# F5 not working for me. Have to click the Show All. Such time wasting. Yeah me aswell. Just too old for all the nasty talk. Then sometimes I have my say. Just a quick one….lol. Hardly get involved in all that.
Did you see England got bowled out for 51 in the 2nd innings by WI and lost that test by a innings? Their worst in since 1930. Cant see them win the ashes at all. Saw some comments now they blame KP calling him the South African that let them down. A few months and a year ago if you said to them he was a saffa they all said no ways he is British. Now that he has not played well its the South African. Mmmmmmmmm Sometimes I wonder about the Brits. Not you Carol if you reading this. KP should have left after having to give up the captains job.
10 Feb 2009, 16:48 pm
Alot of you guy’s seem to forget that the stormers are playing at Newlands. We looking forward to turn Newlands into a fortress, the same as we did in 99.
10 Feb 2009, 16:49 pm
# Corndog: Let last years’ troubles go. Move on, cos we’re moving up!
10 Feb 2009, 16:50 pm
# Wezwp: And you are going, right, RIGHT?
10 Feb 2009, 16:51 pm
# Corndog: 453# lol. Hope we do face each other in the final. Nothing better than two saffa sides in a final.
Yeah FS maybe a little nervous this Sat but think he will be fine. If he can play the wc cup as a 20 year old this should be a walk in the park for him. Hoping.
Going to be a cracker of a game. Cant wait. Its 50/50 but hoping my Sharkies win. For me I say by 7. Who ever wins.
10 Feb 2009, 16:52 pm
When is the new mag going on sale btw?
10 Feb 2009, 16:52 pm
# SpringbokSarah: It’s not last years troubles it’s all the years that surrounded the success of 2000 and 2001. Apart from those 2 CC trophies it’s been very bare. I spent most of that time growing up in Blue Bulls territory. Man little school kids can be real shi%$s about a rugby team. Anyway looking forward to another season though, could be a big one.
10 Feb 2009, 16:53 pm
Cheers all not getting caught at work after five today.
10 Feb 2009, 16:53 pm
Anyways I have to get ready (going to Maynardville).
Bye all!
10 Feb 2009, 16:55 pm
# ashley: 451 – Yes the site is a good one but this morning we had our post on top the had to read down then go back up. Think they sorted that out now just for the number next to the nick we reply to has to be put back. Otherwise we all need to remember to put it on. Makes it easier to go back and see what was said there.
10 Feb 2009, 16:55 pm
# SpringbokSarah:
Enjoy the Shakespeare!
10 Feb 2009, 16:55 pm
I’m definitely going to be there@ Sarah
10 Feb 2009, 16:56 pm
Okay cheers all. Catch you all later. Another thunderstorm coming. The 2nd in about 2 hours.
10 Feb 2009, 16:58 pm
# Puma: 457 – I was embarrassed for them and felt really sorry for Andy Flowers who is just in a bad place at a bad time. KP – well not my favourite bloke hey ? Tend to feel he gets what he asks for…
Really want Kiwis to take the game on Friday though – I will be at work and although there is a tv behind my desk I don’t think I will get away with switching channels and the rugby will take precedence…of course ! Will have to keep an eye on the cricket using the internet.
So glad the S14 is finally here after all the hype !
10 Feb 2009, 16:59 pm
# Zulusharkess:452 – Just before I go tried the F5 just does not work for me. Have to go to show all. Never mind it works.
Cheers have to turn the computer off before the ligtning gets really bad.
10 Feb 2009, 16:59 pm
# Puma: lighting = lightning
10 Feb 2009, 17:04 pm
The last time the stormers reached a semi final Sarah was only 4yrs old@all
10 Feb 2009, 17:05 pm
# crikey mate did you see that shark: Is this Big G, an old nic from the past?
10 Feb 2009, 17:10 pm
# JimT:
well howdee, yes it is but lets keep that wrapped
And Jim T, is that rev jim jones bye any chance?
10 Feb 2009, 17:14 pm
Time to depart into darkest Africa with no broadband, (or any connectivity) and discuss Rugby with a few mates and a bottle of Captain Henry James Morgan’s finest brew.
I bid you all a fair evening and sweet dreams(at least for the Stormers fans, because the next 3 months could be a nightmare!).
Just a joke everyone.
10 Feb 2009, 17:15 pm
# Scrumdown:
Where in Africa you based?
10 Feb 2009, 17:16 pm
# WP Till I Die: 477; Small landlocked country near SA.
10 Feb 2009, 17:22 pm
Hmmmm interesting blog site… Too complicated for me.
10 Feb 2009, 17:25 pm
# hater: were were u when frans kicked the pressure conversion to give the springboks teir first vicotry in the dunedin
10 Feb 2009, 17:28 pm
Irish devil i must say i was impressed with the secure lineout performance by Wales and Scotland.
10 Feb 2009, 17:28 pm
# Scrumdown:
Malawi?
10 Feb 2009, 17:28 pm
Good luck for super 14. May the best team win…
Cheers
10 Feb 2009, 17:29 pm
Interesting fact: the Stormers have not lost a match since 22 March 2008 (against the Blues, 14-17 in Auckland).
They are currently on an unbeaten streak of 9 matches.
This streak will continue this weekend…
10 Feb 2009, 17:29 pm
# Wezwp:
For sure. I was impressed with the overall performance of Ireland vs France too. hehehe
10 Feb 2009, 17:46 pm
# crikey mate did you see that shark: Right, I’ve come back from the dead, he, he
I remember you from about a year ago. I was a silent participant because I was in wrong time zone. But now we have the night owls or 2nd shift so more active. You really think Sharks by 23?
10 Feb 2009, 17:49 pm
# WP Till I Die: that’s a great streak, with a bit of luck you’ll be able to start a new one in about ten days time
10 Feb 2009, 17:51 pm
nice new look Keo. Well done.
10 Feb 2009, 17:51 pm
lol nah Jim (so you are not my beloved Rev Jim Jones then ;-( he he)
thin k it will be much closer maybe sharks by 15 he he…
not actually sure, i believe the Sharks (hopefully yes) will be too strong and fit for he tormers, especially in the front row, so it can be anything from 7-15 in my opinion…
what do you think?
10 Feb 2009, 17:52 pm
# spykerbaard:
lol
10 Feb 2009, 17:52 pm
# Ed_the_Lion_in_Boston:
i must be the only one who doesnt like the new site then lol…
10 Feb 2009, 17:54 pm
# crikey mate did you see that shark: I think it is like most new things. Just have to get use to it. Almost S14 though. You must atleast like that.
10 Feb 2009, 17:58 pm
Sharks by 5
10 Feb 2009, 18:00 pm
# carcharodon carcharias: I’ve got the Sharks by 9.
10 Feb 2009, 18:02 pm
# Ed_the_Lion_in_Boston: Ja that too Ed, but its going to be a lot tighter than people think, if they can go more than 1 score clear, then good, but at this stage of the season, pretty even. Later on, I do think the Sharks tend to have more depth and then injuries start to play a hand.
10 Feb 2009, 18:03 pm
# carcharodon carcharias: Going to be tight, but a good match. I think it can be anywhere between 3 and 10 points and it will still be seen as a hard battle.
10 Feb 2009, 18:04 pm
# crikey mate did you see that shark: I’ve been influenced by fellow bloggers to support the Stormers, although I’m really a Crusaders fan. But if you don’t tell anyone else I’m gonna pick the Sharks (& lose some friends) by 12.
RE your new nic, I asked someone the other day about you & they told me who you are now
10 Feb 2009, 18:05 pm
# Ed_the_Lion_in_Boston: Got some pictures from a friend showing young Schalk at a “foam” party…nice to see the young man relaxing. He is always a huge factor, but all in all I think the Natal backrow play off each other better and are also better fetchers.
10 Feb 2009, 18:08 pm
# carcharodon carcharias: Both good sides with good coaches. I picked the Sharks by 9, but will have to wait and see what the outcome will be. Schalk is a hugh factor and it is good that they are allowed some fun.
10 Feb 2009, 18:08 pm
500
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