Frans Steyn Bok flyhalf

Frans Steyn. Photo: Springboks website

COLUMN: Frans Steyn’s remarkable longevity adds to Bok legacy

Springbok stalwart Frans Steyn might be 34-years-old, but he continues to play with the energy and enthusiasm of a youngster.

Frans Steyn Bok flyhalf

Frans Steyn. Photo: Springboks website

During the highly-anticipated British & Irish Lions tour earlier this year, the Springboks opted to back 22-year-old Damian Willemse as the preferred utility back on the bench.

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For all intents and purposes, it appeared that the baton was being handed over by Steyn, who was part of the squad during the Lions series, but never banked any game time.

Steyn was said to be performing an important mentorship and knowledge-sharing role behind the scenes, but at face value, it seemed his Springbok playing days might be numbered.

As it turned out, though, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Steyn would go on to start at inside centre against Argentina in the Rugby Championship, but it was really his return to the Bok bench for the back-to-back Tests against the All Blacks that has altered the narrative around the double World Cup winner.

Particularly in the final Rugby Championship Test, when Steyn came on to replace out-of-form Willie le Roux at half-time, it was his presence at fullback that undeniably changed the momentum of the match.

As a result of his booming boot, Steyn was the perfect man to exploit the 50-22 law that was in place during that tournament, while his experience and physicality added another dimension to the Springboks’ play.

When the Boks managed to win a last-minute penalty, Steyn celebrated with unbridled elation, which saw him run in to lift up Duane Vermeulen in a bear hug, before joining other teammates in celebration. In that moment, it remained abundantly clear just how much playing for the Springboks still means to Steyn.

He may have 72 Test caps to his name, and two World Cup winners medals, but as someone who has always worn his heart on his sleeve, Steyn’s passion for the Boks burns as brightly as ever.

Once again this past Saturday, he emerged as one of the Boks’ standout performers in a hard-fought win over Wales, deservedly banking the Man of the Match award.

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Afterwards, he revealed just how much it meant to him to still be able to don the green and gold jersey at this stage of his career.

“I think I realise now that any match could be my last Test and it is important to use every opportunity that I receive and to help the younger players build up their experience.”

There is no telling just how much further Steyn can go.

Morne Steyn recently announced his retirement from Test rugby, but despite being 37-years-old, the Bok coaches revealed that they had been considering utilising the veteran flyhalf in a mentorship capacity through to the 2023 World Cup. It was a role that would have been similar to that which was performed by Schalk Brits in 2019.

However, with Morne moving on, it now doesn’t seem at all unrealistic to suggest the other Steyn – Frans – could be empowered to continue through to the next World Cup.

Bok coach Jacques Nienaber once told me during an interview that he hoped Steyn could continue playing until he was 40, and that he would readily select the veteran as long as he continued to perform at the required level.

It’s been clear to see this season that Steyn is not slowing down, and suddenly all the signs suggest he is well placed to remain in the Bok picture for the foreseeable future, perhaps even long enough to take a shot at collecting a third World Cup winners medal.

What a prospect that would be!

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