This seems like a debate which will never come to an end but a decision has to be made with regards to Frans Steyn’s future as not only a Springbok but as a rugby player. At times having so much talent at such a young age can be a serious disadvantage for you. Frans can play in any position in the back line from 10 to 15 and I am sure he could even play 9 if asked to. But a call has to be made for his sake.
Looking at it: At number 10 PDV has said he is going with Pienaar and Earl Rose is the back up. Frans has played a lot of rugby in the number 12 jursey for both province and national level. If one could stand up and answer what position is best suited for Frans, you would have to say number 12. But then you have Jean de Villiers in that position who many see as being the best number 12 in the game today. There is no way I can see Frans being picked ahead of de Villiers at 12 so that rules Frans out for the Bok number 12. Moving down to 13, Frans has not played a lot of rugby at 13 but he could easily play in that position. But then again he would have to knock Fourie and Jacobs out of that position and again I do not think Frans is better than those two in that position. On the wings, clearly there is no way Frans can take Habana’s place but right now there seems to be an opportunity for someone to make the number 14 jursey their own. The contenders for 14 are currently JP Pietersen and Jongi Nokwe. I am a huge fan of Nokwe and would like to see him get an extended run in the team but maybe Frans can get the nod ahead of both him and JP. There is no doubting Frans has the skill and strength to be a wing but I am not too sure about his pace. I actually do not think I have seen Frans play on the wing that often but if push comes to shove he could slot in there. Finally fullback, if you were to ask me, “Where should Frans Steyn play?” I would say at fullback. For me that is Frans’ best position. There is currently Conrad Jantjes who seems to be the first choice fullback right now but I believe Frans has the ability to make that jursey his own for many years to come. And the only way for this to happen is for PDV and those at the Sharks to say that, “From now on, Frans is a fullback.”
All teams like to have these utility players in their team but there comes a time when a player should be a specialist in one position and if need be, be deployed to play in other positions in special circumstances. Frans is only 21 years old and has a long career ahead of him but it could be short lived if something is not done. I feel player management in the Boks setup is poor. We do not have to look far, just look at Brent Russell who was meant to be the next big thing but now is in the ‘bin’ all because they never found his best position. They should learn from their mistakes!
If you ask me, this should be the Boks starting backline: 15 Frans Steyn, 14 Jongi Nokwe, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Fourie du Preez.
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6 comments
Tom says:
Oct 28, 2008
I have my own views about this which I will share but I seriously doubt they will be a reality. I believe Frans is a number 12. He is big, strong and great for the crash ball in the inside channel. I would want to see Frans at 12 and Jean at 13 and drop Jacobs and Fourie.
Guru says:
Oct 28, 2008
I am not sure exactly what position Frans Steyn is best suited for, but I know he is neithr a wing,flyhalf, scrum half nor a second centre. Gone are the days when an SA side would have a “not so quick” player at wing simply because he is so skilled but has no other position to play.This is one area where I have full respect for the AB’s, they do not compromise on the pace of their wings. Whenever you see an All Black side, you are guaranteed that their #11 and #14 are blitz and will burn you on the outside if you blink. SA should maintain a no compromise attitude at wing, “THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR PACE, PERIOD”.Whenever I have seen Frans at the 13 position, the wings have been starved of ball, he is not a second centre. 3rdly, as much as he is so skilled, unfortunately I do not feel that he has the vision and the composure to be a flyhalf, at least not yet. He is still too erratic and sometimes gets too excited. This leaves us with 2 positions, 12 and 15. At the moment, both positions are filled by 2 players who both have one significant advantage over Steyn, COMPOSURE. Yes, he is a daring youngster who should not be caged, but even as recently as the 2008 Currie Cup final, Steyn did miss a relatively easy kick that would have streched the lead to 8 with 3 min remaining. May I also remind you that had he kicked the ball into touch in the dying seconds of the 2007 S14 final, that trophy would have stayed in Durban that year. I am not in any way suggesting that he is a bad player and neither am I discrediting the player’s abilities, but I am pointing out that at the moment he cannot be starting in any position. I would prefer to see him used as a regular super sub and possibly come on in the 55th minute and be an offcial understudy to Conrad. There is something about experience that cannot be taught. Conrad is what he is today because of the ups and downs he went through since his debut for Harry Viljoen in 2001. Frans can only get better with time and age. Let him be an understudy for now, rushing him into any one position could prove to be fatal.
Ron says:
Oct 28, 2008
Guru, I am glad to see you giving props to the All Blacks!! You better recognise! I agree with you about Steyn not being able to play at 10 even though that is the position he wants to play. Wanting and having the ability are two different things. Ruan wants to play at 9 because he is a great 9, Frans wants to play at 10 but he is not a great 10.
We have all been 21 at a point in our lives and at that stage you are thinking about the ‘flashing lights’ as Kanye West would say and probably that is what Frans is also thinking of at this stage in his career. As a number 10 you are in the spotlight. I always like comparing the flyhalf as being the equivalent of a quater back in American Football.
Mozie says:
Oct 28, 2008
Ask Jake White>>>>>>>
I would not like to loose Steyn just because the coach does not know what to do with him. When he was suspended in the World Cup, Jake was like a lioness protecting its cubs to him. He knew why. I realised why when Steyn made a solo run in the world cup finals which nearly resulted in a try. Its the same run that I could not help but see materialising into 7 points at the Eden Park 4 years down the road. You may say that thats one run in many faults. There are errors that he made during the tournament but Conrad is not half as brave as he is. I dont know for long will Jean be around, but we need lots of luck and adventure to dominate the AB’s in 2011, and I think with his bravery comes luck. His youthfulness provides adventure. Nourishment is all any rough diamond needs. Time is on his side.After all 2011 where we need to ruthlessly destroy hopes and dreams of a nation which is yet to win the RWC including the Boks.
tondikambi says:
Oct 29, 2008
Mozie
Look at the words you use in your post to describe various aspects of Steyn: Faults, Errors, Luck, youthfulness. Granted i have taken only a selection of the adjectives you used but in the professional error, these are words you cannot use. Ron i agree with you and the Guru, that he should be understudy to Jantjies at 15. Why? because if you look at all the best players all over the world, very few have come on straight into the team with being an understudy, Dan Carter, was understudy to Carlos Spencer for how many years, ask yourself why the AB’s are blooding new youngsters now and if those youngsters are going to start (barring injuries) anytime within the next 2 years? That is the difference between the AB’s and the SPringBok setup now. Steyn as i have stated before on this site, DOES NOT BELONG IN A SPRINGBOK JERSEY at this time. He needs more reps in S14 and Currie Cup, he is too erratic . I wish there was a system (like that exists in Football) of sending a player to another League on loan so you can blood them properly and then bring them back and insert them once they have that experience. I mean, think about this imagine if Duke Mcallister came Back and started for The ABs now? the boy is in Amazing form at the moment plus he now has experience playing another type of rugby. A prime example of this is Argentina at the world cup, The power of their game is traditionally placed in the scrum Like the Boks, but because of a lot of their players playing overseas mainly in France, their attacking and defensive prowess was greatly increased as result of wider exposure and experience. Steyn needs to play either in New Zealand or Australia or even Heiniken Cup rugby before he comes to the Spring Bok Fold.
Mozie says:
Oct 29, 2008
Guys lets not miss the point.
Errors – These are bound to happen whoever you are.
Luck – AB’s are that kind of a team you’ll not beat without it (9 out of 10 times)
Youthfulness – It can only get better
Spencer had more international games than Carter and therefore it was fitting the latter should play second fiddle. At 22 Styen has the world in his hands. After all I am talking about a world cup winner here. As much as you may pouch wholes in his bok jersey, he will always look better than Jantjies in it.