According to the Sharks website, Frans Steyn has signed a 3-year contract with the side, effective 1 July 2012.
Steyn, who was rumoured to be in talks with the Sharks as far back as March this year, has now signed on the dotted line after the Sharks and SA Rugby managed to thrash out a 3-way agreement with the player.
His official contract start date of 1 July means that Steyn will be available to the Sharks for their last two regular season Super Rugby matches this season, against the Bulls and Cheetahs at Kings Park. However, he will be unlikely to qualify to play in any knock-out games, should the Sharks progress to the finals series.
Welcome back, Fransie! Let’s hope that the next 3 years are happy and successful ones, both for you and the team.
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Welcome home Frans!
Sweet! Very happy about this! Welcome back Frans.
Finally confirmed..
Looking forward to see how he performs for the Boks..
What’s the 3-way agreement?
Would you play him in super rugby? Could full our fullback problem at the moment
Lekker !! well done sharkies !!!
Welcome back Frans!!! 😆
Any chance they can slot Fransie in as a direct replacement for Fred?
3-way deal between Frans, the Sharks and SA Rugby…
Wonder what the contract must be worth!!
@robdylan (Comment 8) : 😎 Thanks
@Talent (Comment 5) : @Talent (Comment 5) : we have a fullback problem? Really?
@shaniboi (Comment 9) : about 3 f#ckloads more than either you or I will ever earn in our lifetimes 🙁
Congratulations on the signing, glad Steyn is back in SA
don’t know what to think. Hopefully Frans will have to prove himself before benching Whitehead.
@robdylan (Comment 12) : haha don’t remind me..hey for all you know I could of won powerball rob..but we can dream can’t we..
Just knew it…. 😎
Welcome back to the Sharks Fransie.
Best news today…. 🙂
YEEESSSSSSSS!!! Welkom terug Frans Verstaan!!! Ek is superstoked!!
@rekinek (Comment 14) : Look having both is a bonus. You see now that Tim is out injured we could have Fransie there or if Fransie is injured… etc.
Also we need two of equal talent in every position if it is possible. That way players can have a rest some weeks.
Damn man we are the envy of most franchise now. Do damn please he is back at the Sharks. Well done Sharks on bringing Frans Steyn back to Sharks.
@Puma (Comment 18) : Do = So
Fantastic news! This is a scarily awesome squad that the Sharks is building. Top priorities going forward has to be:
1) Recruitment/development of quality depth at 9
2) Continued backing and development of our youngsters
3) Recruitment of competent assistant/specialist coaches
With Jordaan out this week we will have to move Tim over to outside centre, if Fransie can play then he can play inside centre, or Bosman. We have a choice and that is brilliant. Not many other teams have this great choice of centres. We at Sharks now must have the best centres in our conference… 😎
Just think back to last year that is what killed us was our centres were just not up to it. This year we now have: Jordaan, Fransie, Tim and Bosman. Bosman is play way, way better than last year, but now that Fred is leaving he will no doubt cover fh and centre.
@Puma (Comment 21) : read the article, numb-knuckle. Frans can only play from 1 July
@robdylan (Comment 22) : No need to be insulting Rob, I don’t think it is necessary at all.
I KNOW he offically only joins Sharks from the 1st of July, but was thinking if Tim it out injured and if we need him, you never know he just could play. That is up to Sharks is it not? Whether he is offically only signed from the 1st of July or not?
I had guys working with me that was offically contracted for a certain time to join, but needed earlier and they most definitely got the go ahead to start. Why not Fransie? You see it can happen mate, rugby now is after all a business.. 😉
@Puma (Comment 23) : I don’t think his fiancee will be too happy about him playing on their wedding day. He has had a long season in France and probably needs a break.
@Puma (Comment 23) : you are like a groupie chap…calm down 😆
@lostfish (Comment 24) : As far as I have heard he will be playing for the Boks in the first two tests. He has said he can’t play in the last Bok test as that is the day he is getting Married. That is 3 weeks from now.
Who knows he may just take a rest, I am just guessing now that Tim is injured that he could fill in. He could just have to see. Otherwise we will have M. Joubert on the bench this week. We don’t have Jordaan.
Also if he is to play in the test in Durban which is only less than two weeks away now, Meyer could want him to have some game time. Just say.
@Puma (Comment 26) : Should have read 4 not 3 weeks.
@Megatron (Comment 25) : hahaha. Transie you know that Frans Steyn is one of my favourite players.
Damn pleased he is back with the Sharks bud.
This will be interesting, the Sharks knew they would have him at this time, were they smart enough or resourceful enough to ensure that we will be able to use him for 5 games?
@robdylan (Comment 11) : Well I want Lambie at 10. Neither Ludik or Viljoen have really lived up to their true potential-Ludik is a safer bet while Viljoen is just to inconsistent…
He should play 12 long term though.
I think we will see Gouws in the senior team soon, still needs work but is really promising.
SO brilliant that Fransie is back, Sharks will have to however work a little on his weight and fitness, like the Boks had to for the world cup
BUt really stoked
@Puma (Comment 23) : sorry – you’re right… unnecessary.
I just get frustrated when I say things in articles and people (appear to) ignore them.
Welcome back Steyntjie. This might be too early, but…
15. Louis Ludik
14. JP Pietersen
13. Paul Jordaan/Tim Whitehead
12. Francois Steyn
11. Lwazi Mvovo
10. Patrick Lambie
9. Charl McLeod
Please note that I rather have Pat at fullback, but we won’t be having any other on-form flyhalves when Fred Michalak is leaving for Toulon at the end of the Super Rugby Tournament.
@Puma (Comment 26) : He has just played a knockout game last weekend and before that he has played pretty much every week, I think he was out injured for a bit but his season started back in September. How much more game time would you like him to have?
@lostfish (Comment 34) : hell get off the guys cast, he is just excited that his favourite player is back
@sharks_lover (Comment 35) : Think we are all excited to have Frans back in the Black and White! Some just want visual proof
Such good news! Lambie, Steyn, Jordaan – the new axis of evil 😈
@vanmartin (Comment 37) : 😆 eish boet, they can do some [email protected]Die Kriek (Comment 36) : 😆
Puma and sharks_lover sitting in a tree… 😈
@wpw (Comment 39) : 😆
Well, I am of the opinion that Steyn saves his best games for the boks and his worst games for the sharks. So I’m not joining the orgy just yet. 😉 As long as he doesn’t go anywhere near flyhalf, I’m happy.
If he’s only available for 2 games and no knock-outs then I would use him as a supersub. Whitehead and Jordaan have worked out fantasically for us, and it makes no sense to disrupt the winning momentum. Besides he might be out of shape, unused to the fast conditions… Basically what I’m saying is: Hold your horses amigos, he ain’t won us any silverware yet!
@wpw (Comment 39) :
Hey wpw! 😆
Please give me your thoughts fellow Sharkies…I have never seen Jordaan play 10 but I here he has and I know he is very exciting so why not develop him in the Currie Cup at 10 in the absence of Lambie and Michalak??
So do you prefer Option A on the left or B on the right? for the future??
McLeod 9. McLeod
Lambie 10. Jordaan
Mvovo 11. Mvovo
Whitehead 12. Steyn
Jordaan 13. Whitehead
Pietersen 14. Pietersen
Steyn 15. Lambie
I only wish Kockott or Pienaar returned to no9 for Sharks but hey…
@wpw (Comment 39) : 😆
The Guy’s contract hasn’t even started and already he is being moved all over the backline.
One of those occassions where it is a good thing that management don’t listen to supporters. He had great performances at 12 for Racing, just leave him at 12.
@pienaar111 (Comment 44) : A and A and A… Lambi is the best 10 SA have by a contry mile….
@KSA Shark © (Comment 46) : I’m with you.
Steyn is an established international at 12 and as Bok first choice in that position, should be our first choice in that position as well.
Looking at all the comments above, it looks like our only problem now is at scrumhalf. Why not try Fransie there? Just a joke! Welcome back from France, Frans!
@robdylan (Comment 48) : Going to be interesting to see if Meyer plays Steyn or JdV at 12.
Steyn v Barritt is making my mouth water. 😉
@pienaar111 (Comment 44) : I’d keep Lambie at 10 and move Steyn into 12 with Whitehead and Jordaan covering 13. Ludik should then stay at 15. Bosman covering 10/12 from the bench, I think he’s contract is up pretty soon though, so putting Jordaan at 10 for the CC when Lambie is playing for the Boks, may not be such a bad idea.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 50) : Barrit is playing 13 btw.
No player is allowed to participate in the playoffs if they weren’t signed by 1 April.
Happy that Lambie is getting some good game-time at 10 for the Sharks, but let’s get real. He doesn’t control territory nearly as well as guys like Morne Steyn & Johan Goosen – which is the exact reason these two are, and will be for the foreseeable future, ahead of him in the queue for the Bok 10 jersey.
Lambie will be a 15 at Springbok level. Whether he plays 10 or 15 for the Sharks is irrelevant, though I’d argue that ideally, given that Heyneke will only play him at 15, he’d also be playing there for the Sharks.
9 Get someone good…
10 …. Get Johan Goosen when his contract is up?
11 Lwazi Mvovo (but I’m still of the opinion they could upgrade)
12 Francois Steyn
13 Tim Whitehead/Paul Jordaan – Haven’t seen enough of Whitehead at 13 yet to really say whether he could do it. Not exactly the type to beat you on the outside with pace and strength…
14 JP Pietersen
15 Patrick Lambie
Welcome back Frans…. 😆
@hendrikp (Comment 54) :
Come on; Goosen controls territory well? Not particularly in SR so far – which is part of the reason the Cheetahs played so much rugby in the wrong half of the field and concede so many tries: tactical naivete from the flyhalf.
Goosen had a good first season – let’s see his second. Lambie’s tactical kicking has always been excellent – its his kicking for goal that needed work.
As for claiming that Goosen is ahead of Lambie in the Bok 10 queue – based on what???
Great news. Am I the only one thinking Frans returning to 12 could just put Lambie into the Bok 10 jersey permanently sooner than we think, consigning another Steyn to the heap!
@Big Fish (Comment 56) :
Based on information given by journalists/columnists with more inside knowledge then you or me, who claim that he was to be the back-up to Morne Steyn before his injury.
The same who say that Heyneke considers Lambie the best 15 in the country, and thinks that is where he should establish himself…
And Goosen will continue the way he has. Destined to be a star.
@Big Fish (Comment 56) : I rate Goosen – probably once of the most talented players I have seen in a long time. He is still raw – needs a lot of work. However I have one major concern – he seems to be very fragile for a 10.
@hendrikp (Comment 54) :
At least when Goosen is not injured ..
@hendrikp (Comment 54) : Beg to differ re Lambie ,from what I’ve heard Meyer isn’t looking at him at 15 (may have changed this past weekend). In Meyers mind he is 3rd choice fly and that’s it, or so I’ve heard.
Steyn and Goosen both have big issues in their game, both are weak on defence, the formers running game is poor and doesn’t challenge the advantage line while the other needs to start playing in bubble wrap, one can only imagine what would happen to him at test level.
Doesn’t control teritorymyass hendrikp you are clutching at straws boet .I do agree though that in Meyers mind he is third choice but he’ll learn eventually.
The only thing that irks me is how Bullies are protected in the team, some fat chop in Pretoria pulling political strings behind the scenes.
@Letgo (Comment 51) : I’m reliably informed that Tjoppie will play 10 in the Currie Cup.
I think Paul Jordaan is a very good outside centre. Let’s leave him there.
Welcome back Frans, most 25 year olds are only establishing themselves as quality internationals at that age, Frans has 5 years experience on all of them. As for Lambie at flyhalf, i’m just glad we’re able to have an argument about who is best, whereas before it was Morne Steyn, or Morne Steyn, or Ruan Pienaar who didn’t want to play there… Now we have Lambie, Morne, Goosen, Grant, Jantjies and still more to come i think. I think we’ll see Willie le Roux there for Griquas, and he has serious game…
@robdylan (Comment 62) :
That’s a very short term solution..
Long term must be Zeilinga or one of the other youngsters..
If Tjoppie is at ten, we need Prinsloo at fullback..
@robdylan (Comment 62) : Who’s tjoppie? Viljoen?
This is Great News for the Sharks, And dont think for a second that Whitehead or Jordaan are just going to step aside and give up there places? They are going to fight for it which will make them better players, Which will only benefit us. The Sharks Backline is going to be one to be wary of now, Yes it to late for this years Super Rugby (But not saying we out this one yet, My Heart and head Still Believe we going to go all the Way this year) Next years is going to be one for the Ages, World Class Front Row, Locks that Out played Arguably the Best in Super Rugby, Back 3 that could walk into most teams, Scrum half on his day can run Circles around opposition, Flyhalf that is pure class, 2wings that have the speed and agility to score tries at will, Centres Chomping at the bit,Full backs that are reliable and have big Boots, Now add our Bench and NOW Frans Steyn to the Mix, I can only but feel VERY Positive About where SHARKS rugby is going. I am A VERY PROUD SHARKS FAN. SHARKS – NOTHING ELSE MATTERS
@Ben (Comment 52) : Actually no he’s not. His last 3 matches for England have all seen him start at 12.
@Ben (Comment 65) :
Riaan Viljoen
@KSA Shark © (Comment 67) : Dude he played at 13 against the Barbarians. Owen Farrell is at 12 and is their goal kicker. I know he is actually a 12.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 68) : Thanks, thought as much..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 64) : or Ludik?
@Ben (Comment 69) : And Barritt played the last 3 test matches at 12.
@garethkorb (Comment 66) : I can tell you’re excited – but was it really necessary to take a correspondence course from the JJR School of Superfluous Capitalisation?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 72) : if Manu Tuilagi ends up getting suspended for his spear tackle, though, Lancaster could have little option but to move Barritt to 13.
Welcome back Frans 😎
@robdylan (Comment 71) :
Plum will probably have Ludik at 15 and keep Prinsloo in the U21 ranks (if he is still eligible).
He would even play Ndungane ahead of Prinsloo at the back..
We need to get this kid game time, else he will go the same way as Kobus de Kock went…
WHOOOOOHOOOOOO….Welcome home Fransie….Drop me a 65 meter just for fun…
Welcome back, Frans! I hope you live up to your reputation else Whitehead will have you collecting splinters.
I just don’t want a situation where he is picked week in and week out because he’s just to expensive to leave out of the team.
Be fair in your selections Plum and it will bring out the best in all your players. Frans must not ever be under the impression that he will always be an automatic selection. Whitehead must never give up and push as hard as he can to stay in the starting 15. I would hate to lose him now.
The Sharks are looking fantastic for next year.
We just need a back-up 9 and perhaps a back-up 10.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 72) : Who was kicking at goal? Charlie?
Brilliant News!