Kwagga Smith and Frans Steyn celebrate. Photo: Geoff Caddick/AFP
Frans is a ‘great team man’ – Bok coach
Coach Jacques Nienaber says Frans Steyn continues to play an integral role for the Springboks both on and off the field.
Kwagga Smith and Frans Steyn celebrate. Photo: Geoff Caddick/AFP
The 34-year-old utility back once again emerged as one of the Boks’ heroes in the win over Wales on Saturday, with the veteran coming off the bench to produce a Man of the Match performance.
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Steyn was also highly influential in the Springboks’ recent victory against the All Blacks in the final Rugby Championship Test, and continues to make an impact during this twilight period of his 72-cap Test career.
It will be interesting to see whether Steyn could start in this Saturday’s Test against Scotland considering Damian Willemse may not be available after suffering a head injury that forced him from the field early on against Wales.
After the victory in Cardiff, Nienaber hailed the continued impact of Steyn.
“I thought Frans did really well when he came on. It’s great to have a guy with so much experience, 72 Test matches and he has played lots of rugby in the northern hemisphere and is used to these conditions,” Nienaber said
“When it started raining before the game, he was standing with a few of the outside backs and he gave them a few technical points. He has played quite a lot in this kind of weather.
“That’s the positive about having guys with that experience. He has been here and played in these games and made mistakes.
“Frans is at a stage in his career where he has a bunch of information and knowledge and he isn’t shy to share it. He is a great team man.
“We are going to be playing in these conditions in 2023, so that experience is really important for us.”
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Those sentiments were echoed by captain Siya Kolisi, who was able to turn to Steyn when the Springboks were awarded a long-distance penalty that the stalwart successfully slotted from within his own half.
“He played very well and we’ve often seen that guys who get their opportunity to play take it with both hands,” Kolisi said.
“It was exciting to see someone of that experience showing that kind of hunger and he gave it everything. It was the message of this game; taking the opportunities when they come and he was very good in most departments.”
