South Africa player Frans Steyn in action during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Quarter Final match between Japan and South Africa at the Tokyo Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Frans Steyn backs a South African shift to the north
Frans Steyn has weighed in on the debate about the future of South African rugby backing a realignment towards an alliance with the north.
South Africa player Frans Steyn in action during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Quarter Final match between Japan and South Africa at the Tokyo Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Like many Springboks who have played in Europe Frans Steyn has backed a realignment of the South African game.
SA Rugby continues to proclaim their commitment to SANZAAR but there is no denying the feeling that South Africa catches the short end of the stick in dealings with Australia and New Zealand.
A shift to the north a good idea
Steyn said a realignment would make sense for South African rugby which keeps losing its best talent to the cash-rich northern clubs.
“A lot of the time, decisions are made that are not best for South African rugby,” Steyn told Rugby Pass. “If there are two New Zealand teams in the Super Rugby final I’d bet most of the TV audience for that game came from South Africa, but South Africa gets the least money.
“People can’t say that northern hemisphere rugby is shit. I’ve been playing here for a while now, and if they come to the north, it will be good for South Africa, and the rugby will be good, it will be tough every week.
“It will still be good if they stay in the south, but at the moment, we are losing players, we can’t spend rand against the pound, so it’s definitely something to look at. I would go north.
“Rassie will sort it out, though. The Bulls, Sharks, and Stormers sign how many young players each? The best young guys almost always go to those unions. With Rassie in charge, things will change, and some of the younger players will get distributed more evenly through the unions.”
Frans Steyn with the Cheetahs
Steyn has returned to South African rugby to ply his trade for the Cheetahs, who already take part in a northern hemisphere competition competing alongside the Southern Kings in the Pro14.
The Two-time Rugby World Cup winner wants to be successful playing for his hometown team for whom he has not turned out as a professional and hopes to make history with the Cheetahs in Pro14 rugby.
“We need to win something. I’m not going there just to roll over and die. We need to build something special, something that can last a long time. I played there when I was younger, and it’s very close to my heart.
“I’m trying to get players to go back there, some of the older players. The money is the issue, but it will be good if we can get a Bismarck to come and help. The Cheetahs are playing against Leinster and Munster, a lot of international players, and you need quality and experience to win competitions.
“There are very good players at the Cheetahs now; I’m just saying you need that in your team. Even if it’s young guys, they don’t have to be internationals, if we can just get people to go to the Cheetahs. Because sometimes you get two contracts and you think it’s the Cheetahs; I’m not going to go, you understand? If we can change that, it’ll be good.”
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