Steyn’s experience crucial for Boks
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee insists that Morne Steyn was the right man to provide flyhalf cover for Elton Jantjies this weekend.
Steyn, who has played 60 Tests for the Springboks, was named on the bench for the second Test against Ireland this weekend. The flyhalf, who is currently playing in France, was called up to the Bok squad this week after Pat Lambie was ruled out with a concussion.
He will provide cover for Elton Jantjies, who has moved into the starting lineup.
The former Bulls pivot has produced some memorable moments for South Africa, most notably his extra-time penalty that sealed a series victory over the British and Irish Lions in 2009. With so much experience at Test level, Coetzee said he was the right man to bring into the team.
Earlier this week, it wasn’t clear if Cell C Sharks flyhalf Garth April would return to the Springbok camp to provide cover for Jantjies. The Sharks pivot trained with the Springboks for the first week of their camp before he was released to play in the South Africa A side’s two-match series against the England Saxons.
While he certainly has impressed this season, Coetzee insists that it would be useless to throw April into the deep end.
“The reason why I brought in Garth April was to make sure he develops as a player. By developing, he gets closer to the Springbok squad. I wouldn’t want to select overseas based players as a number three option – only one or two,” Coetzee said in reference to Steyn’s call-up.
“But what if I wake up tomorrow morning and Elton Jantjies is not well, who do I fall back on to? At least I have a Morne Steyn, who’s done it, he played Test match rugby. It will give the team confidence.
“He’s been with the Springboks for the last four years so it’s nothing new to him. That is how I would like to look at the development of youngsters like Garth. I know there is an expectation that youngsters must play, but you can also destroy young players. There is a way of blooding young players and that is the way I go about doing it,” the Bok coach said.
While Steyn offers plenty of experience off the bench, the Boks will be hoping that debutants Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert and Ruan Combrinck make meaningful contributions as replacements.
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