Steyn sent an SMS to the coach earlier this week to withdraw from the Bok side that will play Wales in Cardiff on June 5, but work is being done behind the scenes to resolve their differences.
Article from News24 Written by Hendrik Cronjé
(A New development and update appears at the bottom of this Atricle)
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers and fullback Frans Steyn are set to hold an emergency meeting in Johannesburg on Friday in a bid to save their strained relationship.
There have been problems between coach and player for some time.
It appears as if there is little communication between the two and that is probably the biggest reason for Steyn’s decision to withdraw from the Bok side that is flying out to London on Sunday.
Steyn apparently took the decision in the interests of his team-mates as he does not want to disadvantage them.
He recently tried to contact De Villiers, but a high-ranking South African Rugby Union (SARU) official apparently refused to give him the Bok coach’s new cellphone number.
SARU alleged that it’s impossible to contact Steyn in Paris where he plays for French club Racing Metro.
Steyn, who is currently visiting a dairy farm near Bethlehem in the Free State, has a French and South African cell number, which makes it difficult for SARU.
If the differences between the parties are not addressed at Saturday’s meeting, the Bok coach may have to pick a different fullback for the Test against Wales.
Zane Kirchner (Bulls) and Joe Pietersen (Stormers) will be strong contenders, while it’s a known fact that Cheetahs fullback Hennie Daniller was asked to arrange a visa.
The 23-year-old Steyn recently struck a drop goal of over 60 metres for Racing Metro against Clermont.
A number of stakeholders, including selection convenor Peter Jooste and Steyn’s agent, Gerrie Swart, will attend the meeting in Johannesburg.
This player is i fast becoming as disruptive as Luke Watson was. If one read the comments you find a lot of unfair blame being dished out to Peter de Villiers and SARU. He was handed a lifeline by Peter de Villiers. The Frans Steyn brigade immediately joined forces behind him against the coach.
Update: Friday late afternoon, 28 May 2010:
Frans Steyn has confirmed his availability for the Springboks in their Test match against Wales in Cardiff on June 5, following a meeting with Springbok coach Peter de Villiers on Friday.
The meeting included convenor of Springbok selectors Peter Jooste and Gerrie Swart, Frans Steyn’s agent.
“We discussed our relationship over the past few months and certain concerns of Frans were addressed and resolved,” said De Villiers.
“Frans confirmed his loyalty and commitment to the Springboks and people of South Africa and I can’t wait to see him back in green and gold.”
Steyn’s future availability for the Springboks will be arranged with his club, Racing Metro.
The meeting also discussed statements and documentary evidence submitted to De Villiers.
He accepted the contents and apologised for any negative interpretations concerning the reputation and good name of Frans Steyn and Mr Swart, brought about by quotes attributed to him in the media.
The apology was accepted.
All parties now regard the matter as closed and will make no further comment on the subject.
@ Bullscot:
Why will you be at work at that time ?
Jy weet wat hulle se: ” Net h**re en poliesie manne werk daai tye”
Jy ‘n poliesieman ? 🙂
Bullscot…welcome to RT
Just to get you orientated…I am the guy to know around here…taught Blouste everything he knows about rugby then he turned on me….
@ The Saint:
He he he…
If that was true it’s a matter of student overtaking teacher…
You see Saint is still caught up in the “I support the Stormpies” era.
Nice bloke though, you should feel sorry for him 😉
@ Blouste:
Ha ha well bills need to be paid, nee ek is nie een van die twee.
Well as far as scrummie goes you must be quite loyal to support a team without success for so long. I remember those long painful years of being dominated by WP in the 80’s and can never forget being at Loftus and watching Anton Leonard lead SWD to a win over us, at least those days are long gone, may it stay like that.
63 @ Bullscot….
@ Blouste:
I’d start an argument with you if it wasn’t so sad… 😉
@ The Saint:
Is it ok if I ignore you later, I’m on my way… 😆
Cheers
Talk later.
Hehehe…cheers mate…
@ The Saint:
And then he saw the light
@ The Saint:
Thanks Saint. Ok I’ll take your word on that, I generally try to let someone have the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. I have seen you write some of the articles on here, will be good to keep up to speed with things as we go through the international season.
@ grootblousmile:
Thanks I am OK with that.
As I mentioned this is a common mistake on the other rugby blogs so I suppose I was making a general point.
Of course it is not too late to fix the above article and add the corrected attribuation
Well have spent far more time here than planned today, must go, thanks for all the welcome greetings, will try (if you excuse the pun) pop in again soon
Well if Frans Steyn feels like that then rather someone else that really wants to wear the jersey play. Not sure what is the problem between him and the Coach. Pity as PdV has selected him he should have put his feeling behind him for the Bok jersey.
Many others would grab the chance to play for the Boks.
Frans Steyn has confirmed his availability for the Springboks in their Test match against Wales in Cardiff on June 5, following a meeting with Springbok coach Peter de Villiers on Friday.
The meeting included convenor of Springbok selectors Peter Jooste and Gerrie Swart, Frans Steyn’s agent.
“We discussed our relationship over the past few months and certain concerns of Frans were addressed and resolved,” said De Villiers.
“Frans confirmed his loyalty and commitment to the Springboks and people of South Africa and I can’t wait to see him back in green and gold.”
Steyn’s future availability for the Springboks will be arranged with his club, Racing Metro.
The meeting also discussed statements and documentary evidence submitted to De Villiers.
He accepted the contents and apologised for any negative interpretations concerning the reputation and good name of Frans Steyn and Mr Swart, brought about by quotes attributed to him in the media.
The apology was accepted.
All parties now regard the matter as closed and will make no further comment on the subject.
I think some supporters owe frans steyn an apology too
Sharky i am still against the whole thing. If you go for money , and leave SA then it is goodbye Springbok jersey. We do not need this. If we can beat everyone in the S14 with the players we have we can go far with THEM. Frans can enjoy his Euros and eat his heart out for all i care. If we lift the WC again his pounds will feel stupid in his hands.
The more i write the more upset i get. We work bloody hard for a meager salary and still we buy the tickets to provide him with a job. They get a salary 10 to 20 times bigger than the average man in SA with a job right here in SA. But if he choses to earn 100 times more than me then i feel buggerall for him.
Let me rather stop. Enough said.
@ superBul:
All this said with the fact in mind that HE IS NOT EVEN A FULLBACK. The recognized fullbacks in SA play there whole year. Frans dont have more than 10 games in that position, for me he is not a fullback. He is a solid person , but i can tell you he can not run the ball back like Joe, Zane and Lambie.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/steyn-quits-boks-squad-de-villiers-20100528-wipu.html
Ruik ek aleen die rot?
“This player is i fast becoming as disruptive as Luke Watson was. ”
Take your blue tinted glasses off SB — what’s the difference between this and when Matfield decided to go overseas? Took a lot of convincing from PdV to get him back yet no-one cried foul, esp. BB supporters.
( . )( . )
Glad the issue is resolved. Maybe some people won’t be so quick to shoot off their mouth in future.
I am deeply offended after reading this article.. How can you compare that little twirp Puke Watson to Frans is beyond me,the circumstances are like chalk and cheese.. But some people on this website are against Frans so will trash him at every opportunity they get. When the facts come out then people go very quiet. I guarantee you Frans cant wait to play in the green and gold again.
Its fine if Matfield and Bakkies go overseas but God forbid if Frans goes its treason.. Absolute hippocricy.
gooooooooooooooooooooooooodmorning everyone!!
lovely day in paarl. its gonna be an amazing day. hope it ends with a bit of magic!!
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