British & Irish Lions: Jake White backs ‘winner’ Morne Steyn for shock selection

Bulls coach Jake White has thrown his full weight of support behind Morne Steyn for a surprise recall into the Springbok fold ahead of the forthcoming British & Irish Lions tour.

Morne Steyn had an impressive return to South African shores

The veteran flyhalf has not put on the famous green and gold Springbok jersey in five years now, with many having already considered him as “retired”, when he jetted off to France, leaving his beloved Bulls and Springboks in the process.

Upon his return to the Bulls, however, Steyn had a phenomenal first game back in a loss to the Sharks at the Shark Tank on the opening night of Super Rugby 2020. That performance shocked a lot of onlookers who had expected the 36-year-old to use his return to Loftus as just a back-up option, with him collecting his final paycheque before retirement.

That has proven not to be the case, however, as after a stark dip in form later in that tournament under Pote Human, the arrival of White seemed to spark a resurgence in the form of the experienced pivot. Steyn proved to be a crucial cog in the Bulls well-oiled machine under White, being central to their double domestic cup victory last season.

Steyn has continued to grow from strength to strength at the Bulls

The Cape Town-born player has started this year in a similar fashion, and after a cameo appearance in the Preparations series, he proved to be able to step up to the plate when things got serious in the Rainbow Cup. Following their convincing 43-9 drubbing of the Sharks at Loftus on Saturday evening, White’s side are now the only unbeaten side on the log, usurping the early pacesetters in the Durban side in the process.

Steyn, has again, proven a massive asset in all three of the Bulls victories thus far, prompting many a South African rugby follower to call for his return to the Springbok side. His coach White has now joined that chorus of cries, with him believing that Steyn’s winner mentality could greatly benefit the Springboks in the much-coveted series.

Jake White now believes he has a role to play for the Springboks

“Morne’s a winner,” White told Keo.co.za

“He has won trophies for the Bulls in the Currie Cup and Super Rugby. He has won trophies in France. He has played 66 Tests, beaten the British & Irish Lions to decide the 2009 Test series with the most incredible pressure kick and most importantly he is the form flyhalf in South Africa,” he continued.

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With many sceptical of Steyn’s involvement due to his age not offering any long-term continuity, White seems to give a different mentality about age versus selection.

“I don’t look at age of a player. He can be 18 or 38. If he can still do it, is the form player and can add value to the team, then I pick him. Morne would add value to any Springboks campaign. When you are talking a pressure series like the Lions, you want a bloke who has been there and done it on the big stage. Morne is that guy.”

White goes on to detail that role

White is also of the impression that Steyn’s experience can play a significant role in the Springbok side, because of the pressures that come with this series, he continues to give reasons why he could be the perfect back-up option to Handre Pollard.

“We are assuming a fit Handre Pollard starts,” White said.

“The discussion around Morne is about the other No 10 Bok options. It is also a discussion that extends to a match 23 and the role he can play if introduced in the last 30 minutes or called upon in the first three minutes.

“He has done it before against the Lions and it would be something of a fairytale if he came full circle 12 years later and did it again in a triumphant Springboks effort.”

Steyn was part of the Bulls contingent that was recently called up to the Springbok alignment camp, which just might prove to be a sign of things to come. The 2007 World Cup-winning Springbok mentor believes that camp has added another spring to Steyn’s step, which has been displayed with Rainbow Cup form upon his return.

Will we be seeing Steyn return to the international fold to add to the 13 Springbok records to his name?