Frans Steyn can’t wait for Saturday when he will run out with the Springbok starting XV at Loftus Versfeld for the first time.
JJ Harmse reports for sport24.co.za
“I have never played there (Loftus) as part of the starting team so I’m really looking forward to it. What makes it even better, is that I know the No 15 jersey is mine and I can play without fear,” said the 22-year-old Sharks player.
Steyn described his performance in the first Test in Durban as being “not good” despite earning praise from former Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer.
“With his tremendous kicking boot, Frans forced the Lions onto the back foot and completely neutralised Lee Byrne’s attacking ability with the boot,” said Meyer.
Steyn was humbled by the praise but admitted on Thursday that he didn’t want to start thinking about the second Test just yet.
“I’m not one of those guys who start thinking about matches too far in advance. Closer to Saturday I will start focusing on my task. If I start too early (to focus), I’m worn-out by kick-off.”
Bok coach Peter de Villiers received criticism last week for choosing Steyn in the fullback position as the versatile youngster had not played in that position for quite some time.
Steyn, though, has plenty of praise for the Bok coach.
“He supports me. There was justified criticism about my inclusion as fullback because I didn’t play there in the Super 14. Guys like Zane Kirchner and Louis Ludik, on the other hand, did very well.”
“I understand that people feel they should have been in the team, but Peter is the first Bok coach who was honest with me about where I was going to play and how I fitted into the picture. It makes it much easier to enjoy yourself,” Steyn said.
“I know I am the fullback but I also know that Zane is waiting right behind me. And of course, I have to show that the trust in me is justified.”
Steyn was also grateful to his team-mates, Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen, for helping him to again find his feet.
“Bryan and JP were a great help and hopefully on Saturday I can pay them back and help where it is needed,” said Steyn.
“I have sometimes fallen down, sometimes bloody hard too. You know me by now, I’m not finished falling down yet. But there’s one thing that you can be sure of, I will always get up. And come back tougher.”
Steyn feels that he is too impatient to play in the flyhalf position. “I chase after the ball too much. You have to be calm at flyhalf and I’m not. And I also don’t want the extra responsibility of playing flyhalf. I play to enjoy the game and don’t need that pressure.”
Steyn surprisingly enough, is not looking forward to long drop kicks in the thin air of Loftus. “I don’t want to make predictions like that. You can’t plan drop kicks in advance, it depends on the situation. If the Lions again play like in the second half in Durban then we will hardly have balls to drop kick.”
“It will come if it’s there, but I’m not going to hesitate to run from behind if there are gaps.”

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i wonder if Max Clifford wrote this speech for him
@robdylan (Comment 2) : Someone did, this does not come across as Frans “Paul Kruger” Steyn
@Claytie (Comment 3) : exactly. I don’t see his supposed agent (who is just as much of a plank as he is) writing this style of high prose.
Lets at least give the guy credit shall we?? 🙄
@wpw (Comment 5) : yes – a great speech. I just want to know who to give the credit to!
GO PDV…GO FRANSIE STEYN…GO BOKKE !!!

@wpw (Comment 5) :
Does the eye roll smiley automatically appear on your posts?
Frans must be on Prozac.
“I understand that people feel they should have been in the team, but Peter is the first Bok coach who was honest with me about where I was going to play and how I fitted into the picture. It makes it much easier to enjoy yourself,” Steyn said.
So, Jake was a liar 🙄
@Charlie (Comment 9) : Steyn changes his tune based on which way the wind is blowing.
@robdylan (Comment 10) : 😈
Fransie, liewer seun, be assurred that if Conrad Jantjes was fit, you would be in the team, but on the reserve bench with an undefined role. I do think, though, that by giving this interview you have been very clever in making it very difficult for the coach to pick anyone else as long as you are playing well.
So how good were Bafana Bafana last night?
@Salmonoid (Comment 13) : Very freaging good!
@Salmonoid (Comment 13) :
Brazil nearly did a ‘Proteas’ last night…
Steyn-hating already??? *smh*
Well said boytjie…grab this new opportunity with both hands…
@Claytie (Comment 14) :
The boys did well – now for goodness’ sake let’s stick with the same coach and the same team until the WC next year.
@Salmonoid (Comment 12) : another reason for me to suspect that someone is putting words in his mouff
@Charlie (Comment 9) : Yea he was. A lucky one at that
@Salmonoid (Comment 13) : Dam man best game i have seen them play in ages, we just need to work on a plan for attack – too many long range nothing shots.
@robdylan (Comment 10) : True then again maybe he’s learnt being nice to the coach via the press is the best possible way to ensure selection 😆
@robdylan (Comment 17) : His laaitie days are over by now 😆
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 18) : he’s not wrong, is he? Coaches have notoriously big egos.
Just as Jake White
@robdylan (Comment 17) :
Don’t make anything for supper tomorrow – you’ll be full from the humble pie… courtesy of Mr. Frans Steyn.
@blackshark (Comment 21) :
@blackshark (Comment 21) : I’ll be on the edge of my seat all afternoon
next year when fransie is playin lock he’ll state that its his best possition of all 🙄 his opinion of himself is just as versatile as his playin skills
@JarsonX (Comment 24) : comment of the day!
@robdylan (Comment 25) : yay!! 😀
@JarsonX (Comment 26) : there’s no prize 😥
@robdylan (Comment 27) : damn! 😡 👿
THE KING IS DEAD – LONG LIVE THE KING! 😥 😥 😥
@Big Fish (Comment 29) : amen fishie
@Big Fish (Comment 29) : @robdylan (Comment 30) : WACKO JACKO’S A LEGEND !!! R.I.P 😥 😥 😥
@Big Fish (Comment 29) : @robdylan (Comment 30) :
Just in case I was starting to forget that I’m a softie…I got a rude reminder today.
MJ!
South Africa now has sole ownership of the last Wacko Jacko.
@robdylan (Comment 23) :
Maybe you should skip lunch as well.
GO FRANS…2 droppies down Rob’s throat…and a try…
@blackshark (Comment 34) : much strength to his overrated elbow, in that case 🙂
@Salmonoid (Comment 33) : can we send him back to Japan?
@robdylan (Comment 36) :
Nope, only one blue legend at a time is allowed into Japan, its now JP Nels turn.
We may as well teach our Jacko how to noonwalk.
@Salmonoid (Comment 37) : so where is he playing now?
No idea, I seem to remember him having one last season in Japan.
He should be a good building block for the Southern Kings.