X-factor Frans to fire
27 Feb 2013
MARK KEOHANE writes Frans Steyn, against the Stormers, will show Heyneke Meyer why he should start at No 12 for the Boks.
Jean de Villiers has been an outstanding Springbok but I don’t see him making the 2015 World Cup and I think this year will be his last at the highest level. De Villiers will still add value to the Boks in 2013 but not necessarily in a starting capacity.
Bok coach Heyneke Meyer raved about De Villiers’s contribution as captain of the Boks in 2012 and indicated he would invest more in De Villiers this season, but the form of Steyn at No 12 could make it hard for Meyer to select De Villiers in his favourite inside centre position.
Steyn has always been used as a fullback and inside centre at the Sharks. On occasion he has played outside centre, wing and even flyhalf, but in his three years at Racing Metro he made the midfield his own and was primarily selected for his physicality in the centres.
Steyn, when he helped win South Africa the World Cup as a 20 year-old, was already a big unit but he is physically imposing in stature and his kicking game and all-round skill level means his physicality is often not acknowledged.
He is a beast in the midfield and weighs over 100 kilograms and is well conditioned. He is strong in contact and he is the only midfielder in South Africa who can consistently stand up in the tackle and offload effectively.
Steyn’s linekicking game makes him a gem at inside centre. He is strong enough to take it to the line and has strong distribution skills. But it’s that monster boot of his that keeps the defence honest and also keeps them hesitant. He provides a foil to Pat Lambie at No 10 and having two such capable out of hand kickers makes it a nightmare for any opposition fullback.
Last year I asked 102-Test Springbok fullback legend Percy Montgomery who he would select at inside centre for the Boks. He said he would pick Steyn ahead of De Villiers but he felt De Villiers at No 13 or on the wing still offered South Africa options and he added he would select both in his run on XV.
But it was Steyn who got his nod at 12 because of how difficult his selection made it for any opposition back three.
‘Jean has fantastic qualities but he has never had a line kicking game. As a fullback you know he is never going to play for field position by way of his boot and you can positionally defend the back three axis relatively confidently against a 10/12 combination in which the 12 doesn’t have a kicking game,’ said Montgomery. ‘It changes the dynamic completely when a side has a 12 like Frans who can kick the ball further than most international 10s and he can cause a lot of uncertainty to a back three, especially if that back three includes wingers who don’t have strong kicking games. He gets the ball one channel out and he can chase you around from side to side and force back a pressured clearance, in which he gains 30-50 metres and his team gets the ball back.
‘I think he is a gem at inside centre and that is where I’d play him all the time with the Boks. He has matured his game in France and he has added composure to the physicality he has always naturally had. He has also taken ownership of his game and has been rewarded with the captaincy at the Sharks.’
Steyn will benefit from playing inside centre consistently this season and Lambie, if fit, being the regular No 10.
De Villiers will play either No 13 or No 12 against the Sharks on Saturday, depending on the fitness of fellow Bok Juan de Jongh, but either way he and Steyn will enjoy a rare head to head battle that should give Meyer an insight into what will best work for the Boks this season and more specifically in his build-up to the 2015 World Cup.
Currently I would pick De Villiers at outside centre for the Boks in 2013 and Steyn at No 12.
Saturday in Durban will tell you why.
Steyn, like Dan Carter, is gold among the world’s backline elite. He has the X-factor.
698 Comments
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28 Feb 2013, 09:25 am
@WP-Forever-571: Don’t think Crusaders will beat Blues if last week’s form is anything to go on. Reds lucky last week, will lose by more than 10. Cheetah’s have great attacking backline, won’t win but should be good game. Sharks will kill Stormers. Better in almost every position and had win last week for confidence. Stormers set pieces a joke, can’t see them getting it right in a hurry with current squad. Ps I am not a Shark’s supporter but think they have great team this year.
28 Feb 2013, 09:33 am
@Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-557: Telling someone else to ‘fuckoff’ is rich Tyrone.
Coming from you, the interwebs most biblical figure.
Fleeing Egypt for the safe promised land of another site
Only to return once you felt enough time had passed after the CC final guppiemanshaming.
Fuckemeyouneedtomanupwaiterboy.
28 Feb 2013, 09:33 am
@Saffex-529:
Your honest and considered advice is that we should not rely on Wiki for ‘facts’ but of Jordaan you allow yourself the liberty to simply “recall him being listed as 94kg somewhere”?
Interesting to note too that while you question Wiki’s stats on Jordaan, you accept and re-quote them on de Jongh.
Heavens Game says you’re a real “kenner” but the veracity of both of your comments should be questioned. Heavens Game says he has always supported and backed de Jongh yet he completely endorses your post #189 where you use ‘somewhere’ facts to claim de Jongh is not big enough and gets knocked backwards in tackles.
Objective and intelligent people can see you’re twisting your facts in the breeze like so much dirty laundry. Let’s call a spade a domestic horticultural implement and agree that the only relevant difference between Jordaan and de Jongh in your opinion is that you believe de Jongh’s melanin-rich epidermis is actually lighter than Jordaan’s melanin-challenged complexion.
28 Feb 2013, 09:34 am
Bakkies
even when pointing out my “problems” you’ve repeated your cheating mantra
lol
as for my opinion on Fronkensteyn, it stands. he is an over rated Neanderthal bash merchant who has as much skill as Oscar has alibi’s
.
28 Feb 2013, 09:36 am
calling someone d.utch is not a racist epitaph in Australia
it may be so In your warped country, but then you guys seem to have labels for every type of person don’t you? colored etc
28 Feb 2013, 09:41 am
@the curse-605:
Who peed in your corn flakes Pops?
How confident are you for the Blues this weekend?
Crusaders V Blues always a big one, you think your side has the goods?
28 Feb 2013, 09:42 am
@the curse-605: Our country is not warped. We have many happy people in our rainbow nation and well developed vocabulary to describe each one. In Aus every one is the same apparently and can be classed under term “ex-convict” if the well known social commentater Botham is correct.
28 Feb 2013, 09:44 am
@nortierd-598:
Nowty
This could be your year.
28 Feb 2013, 09:44 am
@the curse-605: The truth Pops, is that we South Africand are far too sensitive in general.
You can’t tell jokes.
You can’t make comments.
You can’t voice an opinion.
You can’t draw any conclusions.
And whatever you do – do NOT mention a person’s heritage. That is a ‘go straight to jail – move directly to jail – do not pass begin – do not collect a hotdog from Tyrones ‘restaurant”.
We are a nation full of sensitive and histrionicfuckwits – It’s almost as though we ‘enjoy’ finding offence, as it gives us something to do.
(I will concede: there is a line that is crossed at times, resulting in ‘hate speech’ in it’s truest form – but for the most of it………aspatheticasTyrones biceps.
28 Feb 2013, 09:46 am
hey Nortie.
think the fact the saders had the bye first up will work in the blues favour. . not sure it will be enough though, think the saders will want to keep it forward orientated which is where I think they hold the edge. will be tipping the saders, Canes were their own worst enemies and made my blues look better imo.
28 Feb 2013, 09:47 am
@gunther-608:
It’s going to be tough, but it’s still early days.
A lot will depend on how they do after the bye, difficult first 3 weeks.
28 Feb 2013, 09:48 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-609:
don’t talk to poepsie about sensitive.
he invented the term.
28 Feb 2013, 09:48 am
@gunther-608: Nope. This year is not the Stormers year.
In fact, if the guppies do not manage to win a S15 final this year….they only have themselves and their mental frailty to blame. And I’m as serious as the ThaialleyHGexplores with his Jedi stick.
There should be very little standing in the way of the Sharks this year. The only question is with their mental capacity, which is as dodgy as the fashion sense of their male fans.
No jokes, no lies, no sarcyshyt. The Guppies biggest enemy this season – themselves.
28 Feb 2013, 09:50 am
@the curse-610:
I am with you, as Buck Shelford said on Reunion, JK and the Blues will be in for a roller coaster season.
They are up now, but will also be going down at some stage.
I have the Crusaders by a very small margin, but that doesn’t mean anything.
At least the Blues have one game under the belt, but I also don’t see the Saders playing into their hands like the Canes did.
28 Feb 2013, 09:50 am
@gunther-612: Nah, S_L wears that badge, owns the diploma and wins the awards. I have never seen such meltdowns…..such hysterics…..suck wailing…..followed by a flick of the hair, a foot stamp and an exit
These boots were made for walking……guppiefanboysong.
28 Feb 2013, 09:52 am
franklymyduh
yet calling someone d.utch is racist?
strange, the rest of the world refers to people from Holland as d.utch and no one bats an eyelid or cries racist, yet do it on this blog and you’re labelled as such. not warped indeed, yet the term “colored” is acceptable in SA but would raise quite a few eyebrows if said elsewhere in the world
go figure
Kia Ora pedigree lady.
28 Feb 2013, 09:53 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-615:
Don’t start handing out song titles.
They might start saying our theme song is “it’s raining men”
28 Feb 2013, 09:54 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-613:
You’ve only lost one game.
Don’t be so hard on yourself.
Besides it’s been the Stormer mantra for the last decade.
28 Feb 2013, 09:55 am
@nortierd-614: I’m going Blues. Saders traditionally slow starters…… And Blues carrying good momentum, self belief and structure into this one.
The owe the Saders a slap, and I have no doubt they intend to execute it. What I saw last week (and yes……it guarantees nothing), is a belief and ‘mental hardness’ I ain’t seen in the Blues for a while…
Ali is eye of the tiger, and the youngsters show no fear or ‘respect’ for what stand in front of them.
They will be very keen to snot Toddy’s boys…….and if anyone knows how to do it it’s Henry, who I am sure spent more time than usual with the team this week.
28 Feb 2013, 09:56 am
@the curse-616:
The term “********” is seen as derogatory to Afrikaners.
Similar to ” rock spiders” and ” hairy backs”
Those terms were mostly used in the 80′s, when their was still a lot of animosity between the English and Afrikaners.
Was used in the Army and other forces.
Haven’t heard it for many years now, we have probably gotten over ourselves at last.
28 Feb 2013, 09:56 am
@gunther-612:
Precious, you mean.
28 Feb 2013, 09:56 am
Same kak different day.
Why the ANC will never learn
A day of high drama in the North West’s municipality of Tlokwe saw a vote of No Confidence passed in the province’s first DA mayor, Annette Combrink, and the reinstatement of Maphetle Maphetle as mayor. Maphetle was disposed of three months ago by his own ANC councillors because, they said, he was corrupt and blind to graft. By MANDY DE WAAL
28 Feb 2013, 09:56 am
@nortierd-620:
D u t c h m a n = ***********
28 Feb 2013, 09:57 am
Farken hell…
Poops on a moral high horse…
What next, Pol Pot preaching Peace… or Stormers preaching “running rugby”?
Gotta larf
28 Feb 2013, 09:59 am
@gunther-618: I believe the guppies(Ra help me) are the complete package this season (all my dislike of the guppiefanboys aside).
They have a real shot at this….. (yes, as does everyone else, but one just ‘fancies’ the guppies might not have to work as hard or rely on results at the end).
Stupid selections (Frans captaining)…..weak mental strength amongst the squad and freak injuries stand in the way.
Very keen to see if they can deliver
Or will the dot on the pizza box no longer be red, which means a full refund?
28 Feb 2013, 10:00 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-625:
Just imagine if they had the Christian Cullen of loosies, they’d be unstoppable.
28 Feb 2013, 10:01 am
@gunther-622: See that Mamphela Ramphele told Godzille and the DA to gofuckthemselves about joining their party…
Even as leader nogal… Of course, with Plastic Surgery Mother Leader as “silent partner” in the shadows…
Beyootiful… DA’s credibility and popularity is skin deep or Cape deep it seems… Same thing really…
28 Feb 2013, 10:01 am
@the curse-605: yeah, I’m proud of my DUTCH ancestry … & of my Austrian, Irish, Portuguese, French, etc. ancestry …
I can’t understand this feigned indignation – snot like some of the indignant didn’t have “very select nomenclature” of their own for races, creeds & people other than their own … ne?
Time to put our inner “Martie Martelgaaie” to rest
28 Feb 2013, 10:02 am
@the curse-616: You have to be here to understand, calling some-one a “mother” can be seen as derogatory in some cultures, even on Mother’s Day.
28 Feb 2013, 10:04 am
Nortie
interested to see how jK reacts after a loss.. Japan was expected to lose
much like Hansen after the loss to Eng. will learn more about him in that first test. against France, Shame their top players may still be involved In the top14.
28 Feb 2013, 10:06 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-625: Why change your tune…
The conference title holders and CC champs are Gods Gift to Super Rugby…
Of course the Stormers are SA’s only hope…
Frans Steyn and his Sharks are but mercenaries in comparison… They cannot match the esteemed achievements of the SA’s best team…
Naah, Sharks are farked… They were but lucky last year…
They have no hope this weekend or in this tourny…
You know its true…
28 Feb 2013, 10:06 am
@the curse-630:
Not just their top players, your top players, our top players and the Argentinian top players as well?
No wonder they suck, no place for their young guys to play, they need SH players to fill their stadiums and drum up some interest
28 Feb 2013, 10:08 am
@gunther-622:
I must be honest, the boredom associated with living in a country with political stability would kill me off……..
28 Feb 2013, 10:08 am
@Heavens Game-627:
The DA nixed because Mampy wanted to rename the party and the DA rank and file couldnt handle the idea.
Shame really.
28 Feb 2013, 10:11 am
Read an article on Aus about two weeks ago. Kids aren’t allowed to blow out the candles on their birthday cakes at school any-more because of the risk of spreading germs. Think it sums up excitement factor of living Aus, even Rathbone got depressed
28 Feb 2013, 10:13 am
Nortie
not sure they’re our best players though. they do make a good living, only drawback would be bumping into HG over there on occasions when his team loses. think he has dual citizenship tbh
28 Feb 2013, 10:14 am
@Angostura-628: Great post (as usual). Sheez we enjoy being victims in this country…. Jannie Jammerbalsema.
@Heavens Game-631: Are you drinking drain cleaner again? The guppies are one of the tournament faves…..never mind conference faves. Every man/gal and his/her dog knows this is so.
Just because I find guppiefanboys to be rather weak limbed and prone to hysteria, does not mean I am blind to the guppies chances this season.
Use it, don’t use it.
The guppies, apart from the usual mental implosions and boom-doom and gloom, have a real shout.
I suggest you fellas start wearing the faves coat with pride, instead of downplaying it because of recent ‘lack ofguppieballs’ when forced to wear this coat in the past.
28 Feb 2013, 10:16 am
Angostura – good to see, got to be proud of your heritage. I’m multi cultural too
Franklymydeah. @635. it is a pathetic ruling, kids need to be exposed to germs so as to build their immunity it is political correctness gone mental and is truly ridiculous.
28 Feb 2013, 10:16 am
@the curse-636:
I doubt that there are two countries that will want HG,he is lucky that one will have him so no, I don’t think he can have dual citizenship
28 Feb 2013, 10:22 am
No one seems to be thinking Bulls have chance at S15 glory this year. Have young team balanced with some good experience and if I look at choice of recruits are opting for more adventurous approach. Ok the captain can’t catch a ball and the inside centre is a bit like a shop dummy with perfect hair and teeth and zero creativity. The flyhalf is predictable. But that hasn’t stopped them winning before.
28 Feb 2013, 10:24 am
@FrenklyMuDeah-640: check their tour from hell
28 Feb 2013, 10:26 am
NZ TAB has the Crusaders as heavy favorites, if they play structured error free rugby they should win but if it gets a little loose the brown brothers could run riot.
28 Feb 2013, 10:27 am
@grant10-641: Not good, but should win all their home games now with exception of Sharks maybe. And should beat Aus teams on tour. Stormers may not think last weeks loss was important but no bonus point, huge psychological blow and if they Durban without a point their season is going to be stressed.
28 Feb 2013, 10:29 am
@nortierd-639:
well hes not even Saffa apparently, so I guess it was your countries misfortune too
28 Feb 2013, 10:35 am
@the curse-644:
Pops, the universe is big, you know we might have “visitors” walking amongst us.
28 Feb 2013, 10:39 am
@the curse-644: he’s a Zambezi Shark, I believe – lots of them in the “Last Outpost”
28 Feb 2013, 10:43 am
@nortierd-639: HG is Lulu Xingwana withballs and a swagger……
@nortierd-645: Of course. You just have to read Skop’s posts.
28 Feb 2013, 10:44 am
Waaaaaaah, I want my Mummy… Boo farken hoo
Pooper’s being naasty to me…
Let me go get my paddle… and canoe up shitcreek, with a few derogatory country articles to c&p as “returning serve”
28 Feb 2013, 10:48 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-619:
Awesome Pedigree…I’m with you…Blues all the way….Ride the wave early….
Pops get with the Kaupapa……He Kahurangi
28 Feb 2013, 10:48 am
@Heavens Game-648: hehe is that what you called your thai ladyboy?
vatso katvis
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