Frans Steyn has lost 7kg during his stint with French club side Racing Metro.
“I had to adapt my game considerably. I had to lose weight to gain more speed and greater explosiveness from standing positions on the field,” said Steyn.
“The fields are muddy and heavy. You can’t afford to be too heavy because then you will not make it. I’m enjoying it. I am in the best physical condition of my life and have not been on the losing side in a Top 14 game for Racing Metro.”
The Springbok backline player is still delivering eye-catching performances with his big boot, even giving English flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson a kicking lesson last weekend.
Steyn succeeded with two trademark long-distance penalties of over 50 metres, while also scoring the only Racing try in their 28-15 win over Toulon.
Racing are faring well in the Top 14 thanks to Steyn’s significant contribution, winning eight matches on the trot. They are third on the log after being promoted earlier this year.
“The skill of the French players immediately impressed me, particularly the manner in which they attack space. I’m enjoying learning as much as possible from my team-mates, which includes players from different countries,” said Steyn.
“The more you achieve in your career, the harder you have to work. No attribute is as important as putting the team’s needs before your own.”
Steyn added that it has been a long time since he has enjoyed his rugby as much as now.
He is thriving because the French teams do not really believe in structure. Players are free to try and beat opponents with skill.
“I can play instinctively. It really makes me happy. I have discovered strengths that I was not previously aware of during this short period. But there are also aspects of my game which I though were good that I have to improve,” said Steyn.
Racing mainly use Steyn as an inside centre, but he can wear the No 15 jersey in emergencies.
Does he still dream of the Bok jersey?
“It is the biggest privilege to play for the Boks. I understand, however, that it’s a privilege I will not have in the next few years because of the policy not to consider overseas players unless local talent is unavailable,” he said.
“There is fantastic talent at centre and fullback in South Africa, and I believe the players deserve the opportunity to cement their spots.”
Dik gat Janne.
Losing out come 2011 RWC.
@1 – Not dik gat Janne, but Gym Janne. South African rugby players spend way too much time in the gym, and become slow and lose their agility. A guy picks up a lot of muscle in the gym, and suddenly you have a slow player who tries to use power and not skill. I like seeing guys like Pierre Spies running over opposition, but it’s even better when he beats them with some good foot-work, and pace.
Frans looses 7kg…..did he get a haircut?
Other NH News is that Butch James may not get to run out for Bath this season although Steve Meehan the Bath Director of Rugby insists he will run out mid January…we will see!!!
Hope he learns alot and come back twice the player he was in SA.
4: LOL, goeie een Carol, fyn britse humor.
carol @4.
Whats wrong with Butch, dodgy knees playing up again?
@7 – Dodgy player more like it 😉
What a huge loss to SA rugby. To lose such a great and gifted talent like that is a travesty. Sharks or Saru should have done everything to keep him here. Only 22 years old. Too young to be playing club rugby overseas. Should have kept him here until the wc.
Good luck Fransie.
7 Van Straten – Butch has been out of action since April when he damaged his anterior cruciate ligament and needed surgery…….9 months was the estimated ‘time out’…..He did his first training session this week and Steve Meehan is quoted as saying ‘He did not know whether to laugh or cry when he saw Butch training’….
The Times is sceptical on his fitness!!
6 bdb – Tanks….my duck!! 🙂
@Puma – how you mate – yeah he is enjoying the NH rugby mate and not just kicking the ball away like he used to do.
@Carol – Hello Doctor Carol – thanks for that medical report – 😉
11 Irish Devil…Sounded technical didn’t it!! 🙂
How are you today…..?
You know I always loved watching Frans play…..really threw himself into the game. Not being very technical I always thought he was very busy but probably did not notice his errors except for the very mad drop kicks!!
Puma – 9 – i agree 100 percent, loved watching him play, crashing through players and his enthusiasm.
Jeepers howzat carol long time no chat. I posted 5 minutes ago but lost signal
Hi Hugs, all good here thanks except after a very productive morning I now have to go Christmas shopping Arghhhhhhh……
Top of my Christmas List is – Percy Montgomery for one night (I am not greedy) !! 🙂 Only joking WRS !!
How are you Hugs? I will have to catch up later tho….
Now SAB pops up…Cool picture SAB, you look rather like a shipping tycoon!!
Carol – You would have loved Andre Joubert ( rolls royce) and Kobose van der Westhuisen (sp) 🙂
Havnt started the shopping yet, might tomorrow. Still want to hear your story you wanted to tell late one night when no one was online.
Actually had to laugh on Voldy this week someone was saying how you HAD to send a photo in to blog here!! 😆
19 – Hugs, I have forgotten that…..could be one of many stories!
Seriously must move- Byee….
They say some strange things, dont know why they saying this is like a major right wing place. 😕
Byeeeeeeee
What does this tell you, that Steyn was fat!! 🙂
Maybe his best position is in the front row? heh, heh. Forget about #15, #10 or #12.
Jim – Steyn never fat….sort of ‘Hunky’ !!
Is ‘Boob’s an All’ on now? Very quiet here!
25 Carol
Hi Carol
No Boobs an All tonight – no rugga
26 So where is everyone?
How are you SAB? See my comment about your photo? 😉
SAB
Hoe l;yk dit, wanneer braai ons weer ‘n slag?
Carol, ok so his loss of 7kg was all due to a haircut. Show me a photo with him wearing a buzz cut or a shaven head. 🙂
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