Steyn nearly quit Boks
15 Aug 2012
Frans Steyn hinted that he came close to ending his Springbok career during his time in France.
Steyn will play his 50th Test against Argentina at Newlands on Saturday. This after making his international debut as a 19-year-old against Ireland in 2006 and featuring in two World Cups, including the tournament-winning run in 2007.
However, it wasn’t all a smooth ride over the past six years. During 2010, Steyn and his agent Gerrie Swart had a fallout with then Bok head coach Peter de Villiers.
De Villiers selected Steyn (who was based at French club Racing Metro at the time) for a Test against Wales in Cardiff in June that year. However, it was reported that Steyn had rejected the call-up.
De Villiers blamed Swart for his strained relationship with the player, but the matter was sorted out during a private meeting involving all parties and Steyn featured in the match. He also made De Villiers’ World Cup squad last year.
However, ahead of his special moment this weekend, Steyn said he was delighted to be back under current circumstances: ‘The goals I have now differ to the ones I had when I first arrived in France. The last couple of years was an interesting time in my career, but I’m happy to be back. There was a time when I was thinking of staying [in France], but the Sharks played a part in bringing me back and I’m here now.’
During his time in Europe, Steyn played alongside and against several of the Pumas players who will face the Boks, including former Racing team-mate, star flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez.
Steyn stressed that the Argentines shouldn’t be underestimated: ‘Especially the ones in the starting line-up. They’re very good players and it will be an interesting contest on Saturday. I think Argentina will surprise one of the teams during the competition this season, especially at home.’
By Gareth Duncan, in Cape Town
111 Comments
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16 Aug 2012, 11:12 am
@Roy-99:
Care to enlighten me fcukface, or too busy playing angry birds or bubble shooter
16 Aug 2012, 11:14 am
This bulls.hit is actually getting quite unpleasant. Pity, it was good while it lasted. Maybe we should leave the nic stealers to have an orgy with themselves
16 Aug 2012, 11:17 am
@Roy-99: neither are you….anyone here need a job?
16 Aug 2012, 11:18 am
@TooMuchRugby-102: Maybe we should just get the registered nic showing up as it used to?
16 Aug 2012, 11:22 am
I don’t get it. How puny must your mind be need to steal someone’s nic to somehow empower your puny little vestibule of self esteem.
Wankers……Supreme wankers
16 Aug 2012, 11:24 am
@102 “orgy?” I wouldn’t mind. My vaginna’s so old, its about to get slapped with a write-off certificate
16 Aug 2012, 11:24 am
@Dawn-106:
oh boy lol
16 Aug 2012, 11:29 am
@TooMuchRugby-101:
That’s a no then genius?
16 Aug 2012, 11:34 am
@Dawn. Indeed, but promise me you’ll shave it just this one time?
16 Aug 2012, 11:39 am
@TooMuchRugby-109: Well I see my spokesperson has arrived at last. Time for me to feckoff…….the court jester wil handle things in my absence.
Please carry on…….. I will be in my chambers, repeatedly washing myself with JIK
17 Aug 2012, 10:36 am
Divvy blamed for the Prodigal sons attitude , if it were any other coach they woulda questioned the patriotism of a player *Lumumba chuckle*
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