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, 20:22 pm
# grootblousmile: 597 – Helloooooooooo gbs. A few things I am not happy with. The nick should be in bold black or larger otherwise the colour green just too close to the black, also need the number put back next to the post we have ansered. Think the posts are too far apart no need for that now have to scroll too much. All the other things are quiet good.
10 Feb 2009, 20:22 pm
# Puma: Hi Puma, got in a panic and couldnt get in….something about “enabling cookies” all a complete mystery to me, but I saw Grant had navigated his way in so thought it couldn’t be too complicated!!!
10 Feb 2009, 20:22 pm
Farrrkkkkkkkk, there are still little gremlins… but nothing major… it seems !
10 Feb 2009, 20:22 pm
# carol: # carol: 593 – Who are you? Think you don’t belong here. Have you been vetted by Dawn? Oh that’s right as a stranger you don’t know who Dawn is he, he
10 Feb 2009, 20:23 pm
# Puma: ansered = answered.
Now after this never going to correct my typing mistakes. Just ignore if there are any……hahahaha.
10 Feb 2009, 20:23 pm
# JimT: bloody wind howling…gale force but clear…hope it will be great sat…i will post a mail at say 14h30 updating weather on t6he day!
10 Feb 2009, 20:24 pm
# grootblousmile: Hey,heh,hey….I nearly mailed you to tell me how to get back in here!!!
Just going to feed nags…..I’ll be back!
10 Feb 2009, 20:24 pm
# Puma: 594 – Now you on the ball my friend. That’s where he belongs.
10 Feb 2009, 20:24 pm
# carol: 602 – It was a bit of a mess this morning. We had our posts going tot he top and had to read from the top down. Not so good now it has been corrected to like it was.
10 Feb 2009, 20:26 pm
# carol: 595 – We all are in disguise today. It’s fitting with the new look. Do you like it? Improvements are in order, see earlier comments.
10 Feb 2009, 20:26 pm
# Puma: i think you right…12 is where he will thrive..the stormers tight 5 is okay…providing no injuries…thats the key…we have competent guys ..no depth in tight 5 though!
10 Feb 2009, 20:26 pm
#607 carol: Hey, WRS is not a nag… or is he… I suppose he would be right now after he gave your England / Wales ticket away…
No nookies for him for 3 weeks !
Hehehe
10 Feb 2009, 20:27 pm
# grootblousmile: 597 – Study first, comments later, fixes are required IMO. Hi GBS.
10 Feb 2009, 20:28 pm
# grant10: 606 – That will be great grant10. Let us know the weather for Sat.
# JimT: 608 – Have said it for awhile now. Just cant see him playing there. PdV wont play him at 15. So has to stay put at 12
10 Feb 2009, 20:29 pm
# carol: 602 – did you experience tremors & other withdrawal symptoms?
10 Feb 2009, 20:30 pm
# grant10: 611 – Never know could to well there on Sat. Rassie very smart probably has worked it out.
Okay everyone going to watch a bit of tv now. For what its worth. Really not much on.
Catch you all tomorrow. Now remember to put the posts number next to the name you answer and maybe by tomorrow everyone will be doing it. Makes it easier.
Enjoy your evening all.
10 Feb 2009, 20:30 pm
# JimT: Ahhhrggggg Jimmyyyyy… I canna study now…. !!
10 Feb 2009, 20:31 pm
# grant10: 606 – too bad about gale that could spoil things. Maybe it will die down by Saturday.
10 Feb 2009, 20:31 pm
Before I go does anyone know what the Keos$ are for? Will check your answer tomorrow.
Cheers out of here now.
10 Feb 2009, 20:32 pm
# carol: 607 – anybody notice a pattern here? We always come 2nd to the horses
10 Feb 2009, 20:33 pm
#619 Puma: Farrrrrkkkkkkk Knows !
10 Feb 2009, 20:34 pm
# grant10: Come on G10…one off’s are distortions… I remember Mallet saying that it was a pity that Kayzer scored three tries…because it overstated his abilities…I could say that about Steyn. Kayzer went on to prove him wrong everytime..he even managed to stop Jonah Lomu with his 1.72 frame…but Mallet persisted…Steyn is not Kopping half the insults that Kayzer had to endure and Kayzer delivered
10 Feb 2009, 20:34 pm
# carol: #599
At least it was not done by Bulls fan then it would have been blue all over
10 Feb 2009, 20:35 pm
# Puma: 614 – think PdV is giving up a golden opportunity. It’s not as if the incumbent is that great. Or is this, dare I say it, a quota issue?
10 Feb 2009, 20:36 pm
# Puma: #619
Similar to Zim dollars, you get millions and then you can not buy anything
10 Feb 2009, 20:36 pm
# Puma: 616- Cheers Puma, nice discussion.
10 Feb 2009, 20:38 pm
#623 JL1: Hey whatchit…. I like blue……. nooooooo I lurveeeeeeeee blue !
10 Feb 2009, 20:38 pm
# grootblousmile: 617 – yes but your analysis on these is usually very astute. Improvements still required I think. Biggest loss is the inability to track a specific conversation, something the Night Owls will miss.
10 Feb 2009, 20:41 pm
# JimT: He is not that great…just a lot better…why does Plumtree not play him FB..He should have moved to the lions and played at full back..but even Loffie does not want him…and loffie normally falls for the blond blued eyed K@k
10 Feb 2009, 20:41 pm
# Cuito Carnivale: #622 What in the 13 tests matches he played
10 Feb 2009, 20:41 pm
# JimT: Yeah Jimmy, I’ll have a good look and give my opinion… just not tonight…. tonight I’m drinking……. why…. cause I feel like it, OK !
10 Feb 2009, 20:42 pm
# grootblousmile: #627 Sorry GBS, I reckon this site would have been two tone coloured site if a Bulls supporter designed it
10 Feb 2009, 20:43 pm
# JimT: Horses done Jim…they have to come first though!
10 Feb 2009, 20:43 pm
Where’s Grant gone to?
10 Feb 2009, 20:44 pm
Good evening all
10 Feb 2009, 20:44 pm
# JL1: 630..who and what 13 matches…Kayzer or Steyn
10 Feb 2009, 20:45 pm
# grootblousmile: Drinking your “Setslappes” or whatever you call it?
10 Feb 2009, 20:46 pm
# JL1: NO report button…jy gaan sukkel ou broer
10 Feb 2009, 20:46 pm
# grootblousmile: 612. He knows he is not the flavour of the month!
Grant said I should say I understood and give him a hug!!
Mmmmmmmm…….
10 Feb 2009, 20:47 pm
# JL1: What’s wrong with two-tone…. hehehehe
Hey, we have serious taste here up North.. we have style… we have a sea (although it’s always low tide and the sea pulls back verrrryyyyyy far)… ons is ‘n klomp grand ous hier bo jong !
10 Feb 2009, 20:48 pm
# Cuito Carnivale: That was meant for GBS
10 Feb 2009, 20:48 pm
So this is the new look keo, not too shabby, interesting changes
I see my pal JW is getting on the mag bandwagon, next he’ll become a regular blogger then we can have it out face to face, seeing he can’t get a coaching gig he may as well join keo as an honorable scribe, least there’s more n one way to skin a cat.
10 Feb 2009, 20:49 pm
#637 carol: Hehehehehe
SLETSAPPIES !!
Nooooooo, but tonight I’m different… I’m drinking Vodkaaa & Appletizerrrrrrrrr
10 Feb 2009, 20:50 pm
I hate this lack of referencing!!!!!
10 Feb 2009, 20:50 pm
# grootblousmile: 643 Eukkk…anyway what is the occasion?
10 Feb 2009, 20:51 pm
#639 carol: Mmmmmmmm… he needs a kick up the bumper I would say !
#641 Cuito Carnivale: Ek sukkel nooit…… ek mail hom sommer straight !
10 Feb 2009, 20:51 pm
# Cuito Carnivale:
aha so the little red buttons been scrapped… one up for the heart brigade. What will they be doing to rearrange the furniture in here without the security blanket repertoire.
10 Feb 2009, 20:52 pm
# JL1: 623 Blue all over would be hard on the eyes, I quite miss the yellow…..jolly!
10 Feb 2009, 20:52 pm
# grootblousmile: 631 – Oh, oh I feel a brawl coming or are u too mellow tonight? Only person to brawl with on the 2nd shift is Skoppie, the rest of us are too laid back to brawl. Although Cuito might give you a run for your money
10 Feb 2009, 20:53 pm
# JimT: 604. Does Dawn need to vet me or is it the “Mafia” ?
Will I pass the test second time?
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