Frans Steyn Springboks

Frans. Image: Forster/Getty Images

Frans Steyn: Springboks summon two-time World Cup winner to produce more magic

The Boks have placed their faith in the legendary Frans Steyn to conduct matters against Argentina from flyhalf. Here’s why that decision can pay dividends.

Frans Steyn Springboks

Frans. Image: Forster/Getty Images

Bok legend Frans Steyn knows all about dealing with pressure and conjuring up flashes of brilliance out of nowhere.

With flyhalves Handre Pollard and Damian Willemse out for Saturday’s crunch Rugby Championship clash against Argentina, 35-year-old Steyn has been entrusted to start in the pivotal number 10 Springbok jersey for the first time since 2008. Bok management will need to find some creative solutions if they are to manage Steyn’s match fitness.

The Springboks can still win the Rugby Championship but that depends on a number of permutations involving their match and New Zealand’s result against the Wallabies earlier in the day.

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Frans Steyn wearing number 10 has the memories flooding back

François Steyn last wore a number 10 jersey for the World Champions in 2008. There’s plenty of water under the bridge since then, but it’s 14 years later and the Boks need him in that crucial position again.

Frans Steyn South Africa v Italy
Veteran Frans Steyn will start at flyhalf for the Springboks on Saturday for the first time in over 14 years! Photo: Gallo Images/Getty Images

There are obvious concerns about Steyn’s fitness/stamina and ability to finish 80 minutes. Where there are problems, however, there are solutions.

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Realistically speaking, Steyn might only last around 60 minutes at flyhalf. Steyn will look to be typically physical in the first hour of the contest so that he can leave a mark on Argentina’s number 10 and 12. By that time, Willie le Roux could take over at 10. Substitute and regular scrumhalf Faf de Klerk could also take over at 10 and first receiver with Steyn shuffling out to plug any gaps that need plugging.

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If Bok coach Jacques Nienaber wants to be super creative about it, perhaps there’s the option of moving Jaden Hendrikse out to the wing, Canan Moodie to fullback and then Willie le Roux can be brought forward.

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Steyn brings aggression, ball-carrying ability and defensive nous to the party. He also possesses that distinctive X-Factor that has made him one of South Africa’s most adored and revered rugby players of this or any other generation.

After all of these years, two-time World Cup winner François Philippus Lodewyk Steyn is still the go-to man when his beloved Springboks need him most.

Springbok squad vs Argentina

Willie le Roux; Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Francois Steyn, Jaden Hendrikse; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt); Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Duane Vermeulen, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Kurt-Lee Arendse

Kickoff is at 17:05 from Kings Park in Durban.