Springboks stalwart Frans Steyn. Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
Rassie Erasmus has two words for Frans Steyn: Just incredible!
Rassie Erasmus says it’s incredible that a player as physical as Frans Steyn is still able to perform at the highest level at the age of 35.
Springboks stalwart Frans Steyn. Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
Besides winning two World Cups, Frans Steyn was also part of the Springbok squad during the series triumphs against the British & Irish Lions in 2009 and 2021. The 35-year-old has 77 Test caps to his name, and is expected to remain part of the group that travels to the World Cup in France next year.
The Boks will head into this Saturday’s final Rugby Championship Test against the Pumas in Durban with a strong chance of claiming a memorable title triumph, and in this context, Frans Steyn’s place in the side is looking more important than ever.
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It was confirmed on Monday that Damian Willemse is set to be unavailable this week after suffering a heavy knock to the head last Saturday, and Steyn has now been named to start his first international match at flyhalf since 2008.
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Taking to Twitter, Rassie Erasmus highlighted how incredible was for Steyn to still be performing at the highest level, while also offering credit to Ireland counterpart Johnny Sexton.
“My opinion: Just incredible how these two top guys and players still doing the job at the highest level considering the type of players they are (physicality and smart tactics every game) Lekka! Proud,” Erasmus wrote.
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Meanwhile, in the the only other change to the Springboks’ run-on XV for this Saturday’s clash against Argentina, Pieter Steph du Toit returns to the starting lineup at flanker in place of Franco Mostert, who will provide an impact off the bench.
The notable changes amongst the replacements are the return of hooker Bongi Mbonambi, who makes a welcome return from a knee injury, and Kurt-Lee Arendse, who has completed his suspension following a dangerous tackle last month.
Mbonambi will be joined by strong reinforcements in Vincent Koch (prop) and Duane Vermeulen (No 8), who join Mostert and Kwagga Smith as the forwards on the bench.
Faf de Klerk and Arendse, meanwhile, will provide cover amongst the backs, with De Klerk earmarked as the back-up scrumhalf and flyhalf cover, while Arendse will cover fullback and wing depending on how the match unfolds.
Frans Steyn will make a rare start at flyhalf:
15 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 78 caps, 65 pts (13t)
14 – Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 2 caps, 5pts (1t)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 55 caps, 60 pts (12t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 65 caps, 45 pts, (9t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 32 caps, 110 pts (22t)
10 – Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs) – 77 caps, 156 pts (11t, 10c, 24p, 3d)
9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks) – 9 caps, 10 pts (2t)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 17 caps, 0 pts
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 63 caps, 15 pts (3t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 70 caps, 35 pts (7t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 63 caps, 25 pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks) – 105 caps, 15 pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 53 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 54 caps, 65 pts (13t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 66 caps, 5 pts (1t)
Replacements:
16 – Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks) – 51 caps, 55 pts (11t)
17 – Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks) – 14 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (Wasps) – 36 caps, 0 pts
19 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 58 caps, 10 pts (2t)
20 – Duane Vermeulen (Ulster) – 64 caps, 15 pts (3t)
21 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 26 caps, 15 pts (3t)
22 – Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles) – 41 caps, 25 pts (5t)
23 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 2 caps, 5 pts (1t)
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