Former Springbok coach Jake White says Frans Steyn should have joined the pantheon of Bok centurions by now while likening the two-time World Cup winner to Danie Craven.
White was speaking to Keo.co.za after Steyn’s influential man-of-the-match performance against Wales in Cardiff.
The 34-year-old fullback replaced comparative youngster Damian Willemse in the first half of the Test and kicked a long-range penalty to help the Springboks claim a first win in Cardiff since 2013.
It was White who gave a teenage Steyn his Bok debut back in 2006 against Ireland in Dublin and the talented all-rounder went on to form a crucial part of the 2007 World Cup-winning team.
The Vodacom Bulls director of rugby said that Steyn is the closest the Springboks currently have to a modern-day Craven, who served South African rugby as a player, coach and administrator between 1931 and his death in 1993.
“In Springbok rugby history, the only player, in terms of versatility, success and impact, who has ever come close to Doc Craven is Frans Steyn,” White told the website. “He should have played 100 and something Test matches.
“He was our best player on his debut on the wing against Ireland in 2006 and in 2021, as a 34-year-old, playing fullback, in terrible weather in Cardiff against Wales, he was the man of the match and influential in the Boks winning. It just shows you his value to any team he plays for.”
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
