Frans Steyn says the realisation that every Test match is a privilege, as it could be his last, is fueling his excellent performances after his impact against Wales. DYLAN JACK reports.
Steyn played a starring role as the Springboks ended a seven-year wait to claim a hard-fought win over Wales in Cardiff.
The 34-year-old replaced the injured Damian Willemse in the first half and played the rest of the match after the youngster failed a head impact assessment.
Using his years of experience, Steyn provided the Springboks with a fulcrum at the back and was excellent under the high ball on a wet and windy night at the Millennium Stadium.
He also slotted a penalty from beyond the halfway line to help the Boks get back into the contest in a performance that ended with him being named Man of the Match.
“I think I have realised that it could be my last Test to come on in,” Steyn said. “That’s just it. I just want to enjoy it and use the chance that I am getting.
“I don’t have any regrets. There were a lot of screw-ups in my younger days but rugby is a weird sport. Next week can go another way, I could have a shocker. That’s the way rugby works. You can’t always be on a high.
“I am just enjoying it, using every opportunity. Like I said, this could be the last game I play for the Springboks, you never know. There is a lot of talent that is looking to come through, so I am just enjoying my time.”
Bok coach Jacques Nienaber said that Steyn had been excellent in providing his teammates with helpful pointers to assist them with coping under the high ball.
“We identified a few pressure points and set a few goals,” Steyn said when asked about his coach’s comments. “We knew it was going to be tough and we would have to grind for a good deal of the game.
“I told Cobus [Reinach] that this is a really special place. The atmosphere and the people here are something that I will always remember. It’s really one of the best places that I have played.”
ALSO READ: Frans is a great team man – Nienaber
Photo: Albert Perez/Getty Images
