Morné Steyn
South African coach Heyneke Meyer dished out a swipe at the ongoing criticism of Springbok flyhalf Morné Steyn.
The 55-Test veteran was a pivotal player in the Boks’ 38-16 (5 tries to 1) demolition of Wales in Durban at the weekend, but still haven’t convinced his detractors that he is the real deal.
Not only did he produce a 100 percent goal-kicking performance (5 conversions and a penalty), but the 37 times he handled the ball he kicked just 10 times – with 21 passes and 6 runs.
The Bok coach, Meyer, pointed out that the high attrition rate among flyhalves makes Steyn an even more valuable asset to the national team.
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Patrick Lambie is only expected to return in July after undergoing surgery for a pectoral muscle injury, while Marnitz Boshoff rolled his ankle at training in Cape Town recently.
Added to that Johan Goosen his knee at the weekend and is also in doubt for the return Test against Wales in Nelspruit this coming Saturday.
When Goosen left the field in the second half in Durban, minutes after replacing Steyn, Ruan Pienaar stepped into the flyhalf spot and performed admirably.
Meyer admitted that even with his depleted resources he has “options” at No 10.
“It is a pity that Johan Goosen was injured,” Meyer said, adding that Steyn remains a valuable asset to the team.
“Morné has always been written off here,” the Bok mentor said, adding: “When he didn’t play regularly for Stade Francais in France, they said it was the end of Morné.”
“We scored 6 tries with him at flyhalf last week and this match we scored 5 tries against a world class defensive team.”
The coach said Steyn “ticked all the boxes” and was “awesome” in the way he controlled the game.
“His goal-kicking was superb and I think it was a total performance by Morné.”
“He is up there with the best in the world.”
Describing the 29-year-old as a “true character” and a “true warrior”, Meyer expressed his admiration for the manner in which Steyn continues to confound his critics.
“We were a bit under pressure, with all the flyhalves that are injured,” Meyer said, adding: “Morné always plays well for the Boks and I am very proud of him.”
With South Africa Under 20 captain Handré Pollard involved in the IRB Junior World Championship – where the Baby Boks will play their England counterparts in the Final in Auckland, New Zealand, on Friday – Boshoff is likely to come into the selection frame as Steyn’s understudy if Goosen is ruled out.
Another player who came in for special praise from the Bok coach is Jan Serfontein, who started at centre for the first time – after getting his first nine caps off the bench.
“They have some big ball carriers and I though Jan was superb,” Meyer said.
“He has never played alongside JP at centre,” the coach said, adding that – given the new combination – he felt the Bok defence was awesome.
“I wasn’t happy about the 1 try.”
“That is a non-negotiable for us.”
“We could have scored 2 or 3 more tries, but I would take 5 tries to 1 in any conditions against any country.”
“We said, for us to play well Jan must defend well and I thought he was awesome.”
@ nortierd:
@58 Saders not thst hot this year…hell they lost at home against 13 Sharks! And nearly to the State as well…1 point diff.
Pietman wrote:
Stormers by 1 point.
It seems like they lost this game in the first 10 minutes already
You can’t gift the opposition a 14 point start
@ nortierd:
@60 Chicken route!
And the GrootBlouChicken is sitting pretty in Ermelo, unaware of his shitty take on this match last night, hehehe!
nortierd wrote:
Saders seem to be playing better.
should have had one try and are pressing for another again
@ nga puhi:
2nd try was a gift…stroke of luck to the Poms.
@ nga puhi:
Seem to be, coulda, shoulda, woulda
Bah….either they get 21 points or the must get f….d
😮
Owens pissing Kiwi crowd off big time, cat calls all round…
Slick handling by the Poms, nice to watch, testing Saders defence to the limit out wide.
33-7
Cmon Saders! Get back boys….!!!
nortierd wrote:
calm down boet, it was your tip, no one elses
Faaaark, Saders messing up a simple backline move again….with loads of space outside…
Seems the rush defense of Eng is causing problems for the Saders
Pah! They should’ve let us loose at them we wouldda sorted them
Ellis reads the game so much better than Heinz
great try saving tackle by Eng then. aders dont know how to cross the line
Saders making all the play here..
nga puhi wrote:
Close a number of times…should get it NOW….nope, lost it again, Poms dominating breakdowns
@ Pietman:
should have had a couple at least, credit to Eng
BrumbiesBoy wrote:
Piet
commentators just said Barrett is Beaudens younger brother
79 @ Pietman: Couldn’t “crop” it any more…in the beginning he only had half a head as well…
Eng score again
38-7 final score
Saders reserves taught a lesson tonight.
nga puhi wrote:
Heard that…another brother at Blues as well, they said. Plenty of Barretts around all of a sudden!
Hooter goes….ok bro, catch you later over the weekend, cheers.
Oh my, Eng strikes again right at the death….31 points diff!
@ BrumbiesBoy:
you in the Cosa Nostra boet?
@ Pietman:
cheers Piet, keep getting better bro
BrumbiesBoy wrote:
Funny that!
You…and your horse!
84 @ nga puhi: Nah, not anymore, had a fallout with Marlon but survived without finding something in my bed!
@ Pietman:
I see Gary van asewegen springbok flyhalf is joining the Kings for now. logically he has no future at wp
MacroBok wrote:
Maybe the Kings have a better medical aid scheme…..probably not, otherwise Goosen would have also signed by them
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