Steyn’s Racing deal rubbished
12 Mar 2009
Frans Steyn’s agent Gerrie Swart has denied reports claiming that the Springbok star has signed a contract with French club Racing Metro.
Afrikaans newspaper Beeld reported that Steyn is set to join the French side, who are likely to gain promotion to the Top 14, at the end of the year. They also said that he has already signed a lucrative contract with the ambitious Parisians.
However, Swart was quick to deny the speculation and insists his client is still a long way from signing any contract abroad.
“Frans hasn’t signed anything,” Swart told keo.co.za. “I don’t know where they get the reports from. We are talking to Racing, as we have been doing for the past few months. They want to send us a pre-contract and only once we have that in our hands we will go to SA Rugby and to the Sharks and sit down and see if we can come to an agreement – that is if Frans indeed wants to go.”
While Steyn is contracted to the Sharks until the end of October and SA Rugby until December, Swart admits that the rumours are distressing and is worried that they could tarnish the youngster’s image.
“It is a pity that these rumours are doing the rounds because it does seem as if Frans has something to hide or he has done something and he is not prepared to admit it. Frans will be honouring those commitments and it is not something that is open for discussion.
“Racing are prepared to sign him from 1 January 2010 after his contract with both the Sharks and SA Rugby concludes. Racing Metro are prepared to wait so there is no talk of him been released before the end of December.”
Swart admits that moving overseas was not something the 21-year-old had been contemplating until Racing started to show an interest.
“The reality is that Francois wants to hopefully play rugby until the 2015 World Cup,” added Swart. “The plan has always been that towards the end of his career he would look at options abroad.”
Swart confirmed that the contract with Racing will stipulate that Steyn would be available for Springbok selection and also allow sufficient time for him to join any training squad in order to properly prepare for Test matches, but added that it would be SA Rugby which would ultimately have the final say.
“The problem is that it doesn’t mean much if Racing commit to that [releasing Steyn for Springbok duty] and SA Rugby decides that it is not going to consider overseas-based players for the Springboks and that is something we need to sort out first. Frans is passionate about the Springbok jersey and it’s very important to him and he wouldn’t want to do anything that would result in bridges being burned between him and SA Rugby.’
Racing are looking to sign Steyn on a one-year contract from 2010 to 2011 with an option of an extra year after that and although Swart could not comment on the exact figures it is believed that it would certainly eclipse what any South African playing overseas is currently earning.
“It is a good figure, and it will be a lucrative contract,” said Swart. “Whether it’s a record contract or one of the most lucrative is irrelevant. It is, however, a contract that no South African province would be able to match and at this point in time no other club in the world would be prepared to match.”
With Steyn having seemingly settled into his new role at inside centre for the Sharks, there would of course be questions over where he would play if he were to move to France. It seems he would in all likelihood be used by coach Pierre Berbizier in a dual role.
“Racing have said that they will use him at both 10 and 12. They make no secret of the fact that they believe in selecting two flyhalves in the team and from the word go Pierre Berbizier has said that in the modern game you need two 10s on the field.”
By Andrew Worling
36 Comments
12 Mar 2009, 12:20 pm
12 dragons?
12 Mar 2009, 12:20 pm
Rubbish dragons
12 Mar 2009, 12:21 pm
Well done to Andrew on his 300th article
12 Mar 2009, 12:22 pm
#2 Gambit25:
Post your dragons 1st, THEN read the article
12 Mar 2009, 12:23 pm
Should he go to Racing, where do you think they’ll play him?
12 Mar 2009, 12:25 pm
#5 Gambit25:
Pole position?
Truth is, Ive never heard of Racing. How do you say it in French?
Are they ever on DSTV?
12 Mar 2009, 12:36 pm
FS’s best bet would be to stay in SA for at least another 3-4 years and find HIS position. He looks good at 12 and the last thing he needs is to move to France and be mucked around.
12 Mar 2009, 12:51 pm
go fransie!!! Make that dosh…u got a world cup medal so u’re sorted boet…plus jdv is solid in thar 12 bok jersey…go bash it with those french poodles & show them what 110kg of vrystaat brawn moves like…sign on the dotted line fransie!
12 Mar 2009, 13:07 pm
#8 Transformation:
And if JDV gets hurt…which happens the whole time!!!
12 Mar 2009, 13:08 pm
#7 CenturionShark (aka LondonShark): Agree. Steyn has to stay in SA for at least until the next world cup. He will only turn 22 in October. Steyn is now finally playing in one postion only at the Sharks. Will get so much better playing inside centre and not being messed about in all positions. Will no doubt take that position from JdV eventually in the Bok team. He should stick it out for another two years here in SA. Also the rugby played here in the SH is of a much higher standard.
12 Mar 2009, 13:11 pm
#8 Transformation: Think its better for him to stay put right here in SA until the world cup. Great to have JdV there but if he gets injured what a replacement we have in Steyn.
He will earn huge cash once the WC is over anyway. Two world cup medals is a great achievement.
12 Mar 2009, 13:19 pm
#6 Dust: they probably will be, once they have gained promotion.
““The reality is that Francois wants to hopefully play rugby until the 2015 World Cup,” added Swart. “”
2015? He would be around 28 at the time. Surely he can go for another world cup after that as well?? (injury and form permitting)
12 Mar 2009, 13:23 pm
Well there you go…. Steyn will stay!!
12 Mar 2009, 13:25 pm
#13 THE MAULER: It looks that way and hope he does. Wont do his rugby any good going to play for a 2nd Div French side.
12 Mar 2009, 13:35 pm
#14 Puma:
I agree.. And he seems to be settling in the Sharks side very well!! He knows this side can go on and win more trophies…
12 Mar 2009, 13:42 pm
Hey man!! I got my Rugby ball signed by Percy!! Thanks Keo!!
12 Mar 2009, 13:44 pm
#14 Puma: Just ask Victor
12 Mar 2009, 13:44 pm
#16 THE MAULER:
An the Grouse?
12 Mar 2009, 13:45 pm
Cant see Steyn accepting the cash to play for the equivalent of the Leopards. Its not going to do his rugby any good… Stay put Frans, it might be hard having to sit on the bok bench while JdV plays, but reckon he could take the 12 before 2011.
12 Mar 2009, 14:01 pm
#18 Pietman:
Nope.. Unfortunately not…. Must forget about it i think….
12 Mar 2009, 14:02 pm
The player drain is going to impact the Sharks severely if it continues this way – first Barrit and now maybe Steyn… If he does go we better get Jaque Fourie from the Lions.
12 Mar 2009, 14:06 pm
Can anyone tell me whats happening with the SA under 20 squad??? These guys need to be made a fuss of!
What does the squad look like? Does S. Ebersohn, R. Ebersohn, W. Pieterson and N. Koster still qualify to play at the Under 20 Champs this year?
Someone please help me out here…
12 Mar 2009, 14:08 pm
#21 King Shark: But then the Sharks would have 3 quality outside centre’s…
You wanna get someone, get R. Ebersohn… he will thrive in the Sharks camp
12 Mar 2009, 14:18 pm
#23 Gambit25: If you are counting Murray, then yes, but I see him more as a super sub at this stage..
12 Mar 2009, 14:19 pm
#17 Provincejoulekkading: I know mentioned that about Victor taking time to get back to this level after coming back from 2nd side in France. Think it was on the Smit thread someone there posted this article there this morning. Cant go and play in 2nd div and come back here and expect to play at this level. It will take him a few months to get back to SH standard.
12 Mar 2009, 14:27 pm
I agree if Frans goes now then he wont get anywhere near the Bok 12 jersey.JdV is the best 12 in the world presently… but we need back up FS needs to be patient and build his credentials by winning the S14 this year with the sharks and some game time at 12 vs Lions.
12 Mar 2009, 14:28 pm
Also Sharks need to tie down Plum for another 2 seasons, if they do win S14 then he will be in hot demand in NZ/OZ.
12 Mar 2009, 14:32 pm
#27 bananas: Cant see Plum wanting to go anywhere just yet. He wont have these superb players to work with in Nz or Oz right at this moment. Also his wife is South African and he loves living in Durban. So think he will be there for another 2 years or so.
12 Mar 2009, 14:35 pm
#26 bananas: I think that if FS gets this and next season at the Sharks playing inside centre. My guess is he could be even better than JdV by the time 2011 comes around. He needs to stick it out and stay put right now.
12 Mar 2009, 15:09 pm
#13 THE MAULER:
Seems to me he is staying until he gets a contract that confirms these wonderful figures they propose paying him.
12 Mar 2009, 15:16 pm
#30 PissAnt:
I suppose…. But I hope the Sharks offer him a contract.. It would be a tragedy….
12 Mar 2009, 15:27 pm
#31 THE MAULER:
Look I dont think anyone can compete with the money he will be offered.
Its going to be up to Frans what route he wants to take.
I suppose this S14 and Lions tour will help him make up his mind.
12 Mar 2009, 15:30 pm
#32 PissAnt:
Yes lets hope if he has a successful year he will decide to stay… I think he is too young to go now.. maybe in a few years he can go…..
12 Mar 2009, 15:49 pm
Guys….its a profession, Natal havent offered him a new contract yet….has he got a Bok contract. He is considering his options….its like me going for an interview for a new job to see if I’m still marketable and they will have to go a long way to beat my current job!!
Dont know what everyone gets so excited about.
12 Mar 2009, 15:57 pm
#21 – #24 Agreed if FS goes, tough to replace, however Adi can play 12. Would love to see Fourie in DBN. But think we need to focus on 15, Stefan cant have many seasons left – need to start grooming a lightie to take over. Still believe Barritt at 12 and FS at 15 would have been the answer.
I dont see Plum leaving, he has built a squad, surrounded himself with quality. Reckon he is going to become an institution in DBN, think Mac.
12 Mar 2009, 22:37 pm
#35 Travelling Shark: adi at 12 will the dumbest decision anyone could ever make ,its hard euff he’s small but the thought of him facing powerhouses like nonu mortlock and against the stormers JDv is very scary
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