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
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 [6] 7 8 9 10 11 … 14 » Show All
27 Feb 2013, 12:05 pm
@Dawn-249:
Ok Dawn. By the way, do you know whatever the hell has happened to Katman? This place is a dump without his wit.
Is he on a sabattical until the Lions return or what? I know you have contact with him outside of this forum. Tell him this place is sorely missing some common sense and witty banter.
Gunther can’t carry the entire burden on his own.
27 Feb 2013, 12:05 pm
I didn’t know he is a Stormers supporter.
****-20130227" rel="nofollow">http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Pistorius-cursed-for-supporting-****-20130227
27 Feb 2013, 12:07 pm
@grant10-250: Would have made no difference. Elton had a mare, the forwards were rubbish so no good ball for the backs.
27 Feb 2013, 12:08 pm
@Dilligafrican-252:
Hey, watch out with jokes about that. Our enlightened little Bagel is gonna call you h*mophobic soon.
27 Feb 2013, 12:09 pm
I see some things haven’t changed. Tacitus is constructing shooting fantasies and HG is well just a fantasy.
In the meantime Skop is advocating Deon Fourie as the second best hooker in the land. Well, Fourie better be paying his clients ’cause he sure as hell cannot throw. A great 6 and a piss poor 2 who cannot throw or scrum.
27 Feb 2013, 12:10 pm
Personally I would have moved Fourie to 6, Siya to 7 with Duane at 8 and Carr covering from the bench. Martin can be the starting hooker. Elsadt to 4 in place of de Kock.
A simple simple fix to last week’s debacle.
27 Feb 2013, 12:11 pm
@mikeybrass-255:
See, that’s why I don’t want to get involved in that debate. Because that’s not at all what I’m doing. I’m just saying judge the case on its merit once the facts are available.
But I’ve lost interest in it, so let’s can it, please.
27 Feb 2013, 12:11 pm
@Tacitus-254: I’ve heard rumours as to what they do with bagels…
27 Feb 2013, 12:12 pm
@Dilligafrican-253: Never said he would….just saying I dont agree with okes stating as fact that JDJ is s defensive liability….what a crock of s hit!
27 Feb 2013, 12:12 pm
@mikeybrass-255: get Deon to kick for poles and Elton to throw in the line outs.
27 Feb 2013, 12:13 pm
@grant10-259: Shouldn’t you be changing your nic to Elton10?
27 Feb 2013, 12:15 pm
@Tacitus-251:
Not so much in contact nowadays
Will do if and when I see him
27 Feb 2013, 12:16 pm
@stormersboy-140: Exactly !!
27 Feb 2013, 12:20 pm
@mikeybrass-256: That’s what I suggested earlier during the week, but Proudfoot is “covering” for Fourie by saying that the supporters in the lineout did not do their jobs properly
27 Feb 2013, 12:20 pm
15. Joe Pietersen
14. Gio Aplon
13. Jean de Villiers (captain)
12. Damian de Allende
11. Bryan Habana
10. Elton Jantjies
9. Nic Groom
8. Duane Vermeulen (vice-captain)
7. Rynhardt Elstadt
6. Siya Kolisi
5. Andries Bekker
4. De Kock Steenkamp
3. Frans Malherbe
2. Deon Fourie
1. Steven Kitshoff
Reserves:
16. Martin Bezuidenhout
17. Pat Cilliers
18. Don Armand
19. Nizaam Carr
20. Louis Schreuder
21. Peter Grant
22. Gerhard van den Heever
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
27 Feb 2013, 12:22 pm
@Heavens Game-160:
Frans “Ek het nie jou fcokkn oor gebyt nie” Steyn
Gyesie “kaptein is kaptein kaptein” Pienaar
27 Feb 2013, 12:22 pm
Kitshoff lucky to retain his spot….he really dissapointed ….I think Proudfoot would have had a good chat to him
27 Feb 2013, 12:23 pm
@Tacitus-257: It’d be a blessed relief if it is canned on a rugby blog.
Having Poops and HG around is bad enough without the terrible murder being thrown in.
Good start for the Bulls, btw. We need you guys to knock over a few of the Australasians for us.
27 Feb 2013, 12:24 pm
@Dilligafrican-261: my first name is Grant and I played 10…….nothing to do with Peter Grant
27 Feb 2013, 12:24 pm
Stormers play great defensive rugby. Taken them three seasons to perfect. Another three seasons and hopefully they learn to attack (without forgetting how to defend). Michelak showed last year how to break their defensive pattern with little kicks behind flat backline (and Bekker, their utility back). Wonder if Lambie will do same this week?
27 Feb 2013, 12:24 pm
Had to laugh at this:
Best bet so far : If the Kings don’t get a 100 against them its a back, crack & sack wax.
Any takers?
27 Feb 2013, 12:25 pm
@grant10-267: Dropping a player after one bad game is a bad move. He’ll be back.
@CharlesM-264: Fourie can’t hit a barn door from 2cm away.
27 Feb 2013, 12:26 pm
@grant10-265: Is that the official team?
27 Feb 2013, 12:27 pm
@grant10-269: could you kick the ball further than 20 meter Peter?
27 Feb 2013, 12:28 pm
Blue Bulls:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Sampie Mastriet, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Mornè Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Mornè Mellett.
Substitutes: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Jean Cook, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouchè , 22 Jan Serfontein.
27 Feb 2013, 12:28 pm
@mikeybrass-273: yip
27 Feb 2013, 12:29 pm
@Dilligafrican-274: If I had the south easter behind me…
27 Feb 2013, 12:29 pm
@mikeybrass-272: Influence Matfield had on Bulls line-out planning scuppered Stormers. Lost early ball and got confused. Only team understanding Bekker’s calls at line-out were the Bulls – don’t even think Bekker got them.
27 Feb 2013, 12:30 pm
good to see Jan Serfontein there
27 Feb 2013, 12:31 pm
@grant10-277: lol….what’s the latest on Eenbal? How long out for?
27 Feb 2013, 12:31 pm
@mikeybrass-272: agree
27 Feb 2013, 12:32 pm
@FrenklyMuDeah-278: Bekker should have called more balls on himself. As someone so eloquently put – how the hell do you miss the 7 foot ****** in the middle?
27 Feb 2013, 12:33 pm
@Dilligafrican-280: eenbal? Not sure who you referring too there…
27 Feb 2013, 12:36 pm
@hendrikp-210:
The Blues went well you were picking them to lose basically every game, never under estimate the messiah GH.
27 Feb 2013, 12:37 pm
@wpstormerbok-226:
27 Feb 2013, 12:37 pm
@grant10-283: Taute
27 Feb 2013, 12:38 pm
@grant10-283: Jirra, maar jy’s doff, Jaco!
;lol:
27 Feb 2013, 12:38 pm
@Dilligafrican-282: That is funny. Personally I think Bekker doesn’t want lineout ball to interfere with his time to reach his position in the backline.
27 Feb 2013, 12:39 pm
What Tacitus is missing in his logic is this: he is more concerned about the TASK of defending rather than the PERSON
The vulnerable PERSON here is the girlfriend who also became the victim. If your primary consideration is her safety and yours, you would act very differently.
In other words: he would first make sure that she is safe (because he loves her so much and not just the benefits she brings) and then try and investigate if need be. The threat was not approaching him, he approached it.
In those moments he could have secured her first. Unknowingly he is telling us he is moving away from her instead of towards her to ensure her safety.
Lets consider the reasonable noises that come from a toilet. We’ve all been to the toilet enough times so need to elaborate. Suffice to say that if I hear the usual sounds I would not regard it as a threat. If the sounds are unusual you would say to your partner: ‘Did you also hear that?’
The ‘reasonable man’ would then say: You run downstairs so long and call the security and phone the police.
And then of course: WHY DID THE DOGS NOT BARK ? The ‘threat’ or intruder in all likelihood had to go passed the dogs if the open window was what convinced you that whoever was in the toilet was indeed a threat.
And then to be safe fired away 4 times and then hit his girlfriend who was now hiding in the left-hand corner of the 1.4m x 1.14m toilet.
As Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair stated: there are some improbabilities that will surely be further explored during the trial.
The more probable flow of events is: sms comes in > boyfriend sees it > gets angry, argument > fit of jealous rage > victim runs for safety into toilet > boyfriend follows and pulls trigger> What have I done????
27 Feb 2013, 12:39 pm
Louis Fouche give me strength.
Good to see Cook in the mix.
And Sampie.
27 Feb 2013, 12:40 pm
@WP-Forever-158: Now that I think of it….. oh boy.
@Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-159: Your menopausal mantrums are weak and tiresome Tyrone.
Miley Cyrus and Lindsay Lohan tiresome.
What is that I hear? Itsthosegreenerfuckingpasturesyouleftforoncebefore. They want you back.
27 Feb 2013, 12:41 pm
@Sheriff-289: Some-one that pretty makes the noises I do in the bathroom I wouldn’t have believed either it was her
27 Feb 2013, 12:42 pm
@gunther-290: Louis Fouche is Bakkies’s Bok dark horse. I have yet to meet anyone else who rates the kid as highly as Bakkies.
He ain’t bad, but in the current pecking order, way down.
27 Feb 2013, 12:45 pm
On last Saturday’s game I think Wynand outplayed JdV.
27 Feb 2013, 12:46 pm
@grant10-276: Damn. Mannetjies de Jong hasn’t made it
I like JdJ and de Allende. Personally I think JdV hinders a fluid backline attack these days.
@FrenklyMuDeah-278: Bekker needs Etzebeth to calm him down and to have the security of a hooker who can throw. Hell, even I could throw better than Fourie.
27 Feb 2013, 12:46 pm
@Saffex-189:
I like both players but are we to accept that Juan de Jongh is too small for 13 and Paul Jordaan is a good size for 13?
The Wiki Gospel offers:
Paul Jordaan – 1,80m (5’11”) 88kgs
Juan de Jongh – 1,75m (5’9”) 88kgs
Is it correct that de Jongh “falls well short in the physical stakes and is knocked backwards in contact”?
And Jordaan, “a real prospect for 13” will impose himself and knock the opposition backwards in contact?
If this is true Jordaan’s 88kgs obviously carry a lot more weight than de Jongh’s.
Or is it Jordaan’s elusive running that gets him your vote over de Jongh’s pedestrian pace? de Jongh obviously did not prove elusive against the Sharks in ‘that’ game. The Sharks must have let him through for a straight forward try.
The WG says Jan Serfontein is 1,87m and 97kgs and I can accept him being selected over both of the other two on the criterion of size alone.
They are all very talented youngsters however.
27 Feb 2013, 12:47 pm
@Hop Hop Spinnekop-286: no idea….
27 Feb 2013, 12:55 pm
@Tacitus-235:
You are giving the Defense way too many ideas!!
I like the one: “I was on my stompies and I heard a pisstol on the other side of the door”
27 Feb 2013, 12:59 pm
The Sharks
1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Craig Burden
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Anton Bresler
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Marcell Coetzee
7. Jean Deysel
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Cobus Reinach
10. Patrick Lambie
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Francois Steyn (Captain)
13. Paul Jordaan
14. JP Pietersen
15. Louis Ludik
Replacements
16. Kyle Cooper
17. Wiehahn Herbst
18. Pieter-Steph du Toit
19. Jacques Botes
20. Charl McLeod
21. Meyer Bosman
22. Odwa Ndungane
27 Feb 2013, 13:01 pm
@Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-299:
Hell-of-a-side that
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 [6] 7 8 9 10 11 … 14 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.