Frans Steyn back in SA!

by **Biltong** Tue 03 Apr 2012, 7:34 am

Racing Metro have confirmed that Springboks centre Francois Steyn will return to South Africa at the end of the current season.

The 24-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season and despite being offered a lucrative extension by the Parisian side, Steyn is understood to be keen on increasing his chances of international rugby by returning to South Africa.

Racing Metro confirmed the Springboks centre's decision in a statement which read: "Racing Metro president Jacky Lorenzetti understands this decision and thanks him warmly for three seasons at the club - since joining in 2009.

"He actively participated in the revival of Racing through his own contributions and formidable qualities as a player.

"As he showed on Friday night against Castres, he will be competitive and an important part of the team during the last few games of the season."

Steyn added: "I will remain until the title, I will win the Bouclier de Brennus [Top 14 trophy] and then go back to South Africa."

This in my view is the best news Springbok rugby could have had since the appointment of Heyneke Meyer. Frans steyn had variable form since he left SA to go earn his millions in France. He often seeed overweight and off the pace.

But as he showed during the World Cup last year when he is at his fighting weight of 110 KG's he is a truly great player. his ability to get over the gainline and put his supporting runner into space with a quick offload or accurate pass was sorely missed against australia in the quarter final (It will be remiss of me not to at least mention my hero Bruce Lawrence, even it is for a moment only)

With Steyn going back to the Sharks it should also see an improvement in the Sharks back line.

I can only hope that Steyn can bring that much needed distribution value to a new look Springbok back line.

Welcome home Son.

by emack2 Tue 03 Apr 2012, 8:00 am

Biltong as you say a very good player,hope the put him in one position and leave him there.Picking him when he was NH based did neither him or his team
any favours or the utility player bit.
Remains to be seen if the new Coach will play balanced rugby,or go the old Bulls power game route.IF he does he could be between the rock and the hard place
because frankly he has`nt YET the team to play that game
Don`t get me wrong the Boks are never short of good players,its a case getting various styles to gel.Morne Steyn is a match winner,in the old parlance pick your Goal kicker first.BUT you don`t currently seem short of them so no problem.
Sorry you lost your hero PDV,myself Mitchell/Spencer was your dream team but a leap of faith to far.Given a couple of years THEY would have you back as the NUMBER ONE side[glad there not there!!!!}

by wickedwasp Tue 03 Apr 2012, 8:05 am

Biltong

Goods news for SA, but as an England supporter you'll forgive me if I don't see it as that Smile

by **Biltong** Tue 03 Apr 2012, 8:08 am

Yeah alan, I am getting concerned about Meyer. He is quiet, too quiet for my liking. Perhaps he is doing the homework in the back ground, but it leaves the supporters in the dark.

I just hope he does what he advocated during the world cup, and that is a balanced gameplan.

I have no doubt his first focus would be the usual structures and strengths of bok rugby, he will also be focused on a strong defensive system, but even that fails once every so often and that is when you need an alternative gameplan to get back into the game.

There is a lot of work ahead no doubt, as long as he brings us back to number 1 I'll be happy.

I want the all Blacks to know Meyer doesn't sacrafice test matches and that they need to play their lungs out if they want to earn the win. The rest must simply be pulverised.

by **Biltong** Tue 03 Apr 2012, 8:10 am

wickedwasp wrote:Biltong

Goods news for SA, but as an England supporter you'll forgive me if I don't see it as that

wicked, I accept your veiled compliment mate. thumbsup

by wickedwasp Tue 03 Apr 2012, 8:12 am

Not so veiled, I think he's a great player furious

by **Biltong** Tue 03 Apr 2012, 8:14 am

Ah, there you said it, no it is certainly not veiled.

by formerly known as Sam Tue 03 Apr 2012, 9:13 am

The Sharks will benefit from his return. Lambie at 10 and Frans Steyn at 12 will be a creative axis point. Will they retain Michelak as well?

by doctor_grey Tue 03 Apr 2012, 9:25 am

Hard to believe he is only 24. Is that right?
Seems as if he has been playing top level Rugby for a long time now.

by **Biltong** Tue 03 Apr 2012, 9:59 am

formerly known as Sam wrote:The Sharks will benefit from his return. Lambie at 10 and Frans Steyn at 12 will be a creative axis point. Will they retain Michelak as well?

Sam, Michalack has actually been playing scrumhlaf for the Sharks, so yes, I am pretty sure they will keep him.

by formerly known as Sam Tue 03 Apr 2012, 10:09 am

I thought he had dropped to the bench as 9/10 cover as Grant (right person?) had taken over the 9 shirt with some good form? Having already lost the 10 shirt to Lambie (the Michalack 10 and Lambie 15 combo was pretty tasty last year) I thought maybe being second choice in both might not appeal when he could get a bumper contract back in France and play regularly.

by **Biltong** Tue 03 Apr 2012, 10:13 am

No mate, McCloud has been Michalacks back up so far this season, but becuase Lambie got injured jst before the last game, Michalack stepped into the 10 position and McCloud took the 9 jumper. The reason why is the sharks bought Riaan Viljoen from Griquas (he played for the cheetahs in last year's super XV), so Viljoen is now their main player at 15, scored himself two nice tries on the weekend from 15 position as well.

by formerly known as Sam Tue 03 Apr 2012, 10:18 am

Ah, McCloud that's the one. Ta. I try to keep up to date but Sky tend to show the Super 15 at silly times and I forget to record it.

by **Biltong** Tue 03 Apr 2012, 10:22 am

Sam, this might be of use to you.

http://www.superxv.com/video/

It will provide you with video clips, news and updates if you wanted to know more about the SuperXV.

by MBTGOG Tue 03 Apr 2012, 10:23 am

Good news for South Africa. I would have thought still though the major problem in the midfield is outside centre if Fourie isn't available.

by **Biltong** Tue 03 Apr 2012, 10:29 am

MBTGOG, we may have solved that problem too, I am not sure if it was a clooective discussion between Heyneke Meyer and John Plumtree and also Allistair coetzee, but both JP Pietersen and Bryan Habana has been tried on the 13 position.

JP has been looking very solid for the sharks, Habana is back to 11 as Juan Smith is now partnering Jean de Villiers for the Stormers.

I personally wouldn't mind seeing JP at 13.

Our back line might just be shaping up well.

9. Hougaard
10 . Morne Steyn (I would prefer Lambie but it seems Meyer had a quiet word with Morne and his general play is looking much better)
11. Habana
12. F Steyn
13. JP Pietersen
14. Basson/Aplon/Mvovo
15. Patrick Lambie.

by MBTGOG Tue 03 Apr 2012, 10:35 am

Biltong,

What's your thoughts on Goosen? You must be excited by him as a prospect.

by **Biltong** Tue 03 Apr 2012, 10:39 am

If he remains with the cheetahs he will be encouraged to play the way he is currently, alas chances are he will be bought by the Stormers or Bulls sooner than later where he will be encouraged to play more structured rugby.

Morne Steyn was actually a running flyhalf when he landed at the Bulls, and lost all instinct after being "converted" to their style of play.

The great thing for SA rugby is for the first time in a loooooooong time we have a number of very young very exciting flyhalves.

by MBTGOG Tue 03 Apr 2012, 10:44 am

Yeah it is incredibly encouraging for South African rugby. Sias Ebersohn who played really well last year can't even get a start now. I would have thought the Stormers would be gunning for him as they might get his brother in some sort of package deal.

by **Biltong** Tue 03 Apr 2012, 10:48 am

Problem for the ebersohn borthers are that I don't think they can make the step up from where they are now. I might be wrong but I just don't get excited about them.

by MBTGOG Tue 03 Apr 2012, 10:52 am

Maybe not to international level, though I wouldn't rule out Robert yet, but they are good Super Rugby players.

by Mr Fishpaste Tue 03 Apr 2012, 11:42 am

[quote="

Our back line might just be shaping up well.

9. Hougaard
10 . Morne Steyn (I would prefer Lambie but it seems Meyer had a quiet word with Morne and his general play is looking much better)
11. Habana
12. F Steyn
13. JP Pietersen
14. Basson/Aplon/Mvovo
15. Patrick Lambie.[/quote]

That's a nice backline. I think that Mvovo is getting better and better with each game he plays (did you see his try against the Brumbies?): I'd like to see hims on the wing for the boks. The news reports that I have read have indicated that Meyer has been talking to Fourie Du Preez about one more season, and he's also been in contact with Japanese clubs about releasing players. Presumably that means Fourie.

by **Biltong** Tue 03 Apr 2012, 11:49 am

Mrfishpaste, it would be great to see Jaque Fourie back, I am in two minds about Fourie du Preez though, his form has never recovered after his shoulder injury in 2009, but his experience will aid Hougaardt.

by Mr Fishpaste Tue 03 Apr 2012, 11:56 am

I agree about Du Preez. I think that Hougaard is a much more exciting prospect at the moment. And the prospect of developing a settled 9/10 combo of Hougaard and Lambie is even more exciting...but we'll see if this comes to pass.

by **Biltong** Tue 03 Apr 2012, 11:58 am

I doubt it, Meyer has a strong link to morne Steyn and the bulls, but I am hoping that Meyer had a quiet talk to Morne, as he does seem to be playing with a little more adventure and looking to put suporting runners into the gap.

by Mr Fishpaste Tue 03 Apr 2012, 12:06 pm

I doubt it too, but one can live in hope...

by Bathman_in_London Tue 03 Apr 2012, 12:23 pm

Great news for SA, he is one of the best around in my opinion.

An inside backs combo of Hougaard, Lambie and Steyn looks very tasty indeed and if Fourie were allowed to play too, combined with what will undoubtedly be a strong forward pack, the dark days of PDV's kick and chase should be but a bad memory!

by **Biltong** Tue 03 Apr 2012, 12:27 pm

We can only hope, pray and dream those days are in the past Bathman.

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