“Ek sal op die veld vir Suid-Afrika sterf.” 
These are the words bemoaned by Frans Steyn after a storm had broken loose due to the leg injury to the player and his availability to the Peter de Villiers Bok team.
A very angry Steyn on Friday from Paris in France dismissed the allegations by Peter De Villiers that he Steyn might not have the “heart” to play and die for his country, the versatile-canon boot said he has the desire to play for his country and will do anything in his power to make this possible.
I have the heart to play for the Boks and will die on the field for my country he reiterated, for sure I want to play for SA in next year’s World Cup tournament.
In an exclusive interview Steyn said he feels he is needlessly as someone that is difficult, and Sport24 today can divulge that:
Steyn had earlier this year without the clearance of his French club Racing Metro, and at his own cost travelled to South Africa to play for the Boks against Wales
Steyn since the Welsh test has never had any discussions with the Bok coach Peter De Villiers:
During a meeting with Steyn on the 28th of May, Peter De Villiers assured Steyn that he; himself would travel to France and sought out all the issues with Racing Metro, which till now the Bok coach has not done.
Head selector Peter Jooste, called Steyn last Thursday to inform him that he will only be in the Boks plans for the end of year tour to Britain and Ireland, big was the shock when Steyn heard last Sunday he was included in the Springbok group for the remaining Tri-Nations matches.
According to Sport24’s sources Steyn was included at the very last minute due to the senior players in the squad demanding his inclusion.
SARU did not according to the (IRR) International Rugby Board regulations comply in requesting release from Racing Metro for Frans Steyn in time, a request of this nature must be made 14 days in advance.
SARU did not notify the French Rugby Federation as they should have and only did so this past Wednesday.
Steyn would however not have been able to play Saturday against the All Blacks due injury, said he had no choice but to wait on his clubs permission to do so and travel to South Africa.
I have not been released by Racing Metro as yet, I cannot just walk out as I have a contract to adhere to, and I don’t have a Bok contract.
According to Steyn he is being branded as someone that does not want to play for the Boks and that his loyalty towards is questioned, this is not true he said.
“If it was only up to me, nothing would stop or keep me from playing for the Springbok team” I will live and die for the pride of the Bok-jersey and have the heart and desire and all that is needed to play for the Boks.
“All that know me, knows that I give my all for the team I play for. I want people to look back and say: Frans Steyn was a great player.”
Steyn said his return to South Africa against Wales nearly put him in big trouble with his club Racing Metro. I had thought the necessary requests from SARU for me to be released to play for the Boks had been done, just to find out this was not the case
On my return to France Pierre ( Berbizier, Racing Metro coach) informed me that they would not stand in my way to play for my country, but in future things should be done the correct way, and that the right protocols should be followed.
“Peter during the urgent meeting on 28th May gave me the assurance that he would travel to France to sought out the problems, till now he has not been there and he and I have not spoken since the Wales match.”
After the Wales test I had heard that the Europe based players were not up to standard and that the tempo of play was much faster in the Southern Hemisphere than it was up North.
Racing Metro pays my salary and treats me well, I do not have a Bok contract and now I must hear I do not have the heart to play for the Springboks.
Despite all this, I would be on the first flight to South Africa the minute I have clearance to play for my country, “I did call Peter De Villiers this past week and left a message on his mobile phone to assure him I am desperate to play for the Boks.”
In closing his plea to the Bok coach he again assured his loyalty to Springbok rugby.
I want to play for my country if I am good enough and I will do all in my power to play for South Africa. “I DO HAVE THE DESIRE TO PLAY AND DIE ON THE FIELD FOR SOUTH AFRICA.”
Information in the article thanks to the Rapport and Rudolf lake
Someone questioned the statement that FS traveled at his own cost to SA to play Wales. Did he come here? Was the game not at the Mellinium Stadium in Wales?
Super for once we dont agree, but there are two issues here.
He has a Racing contract
He does not have a Bok contract…so he must look after what puts food on the table…and he must not bugger Racing around.
PDV said he would go and sort things out with Berbizier, if this is true and he hasnt been, then the coach is wrong and he must get his act together.
As for overseas players being eligible for the Bok team, for me the jury has always been out on that, but I am leaning toward allowing them to play for the Boks, if it can bring us a trophy then its like the old adage “should we torture a terrorist” the answer is yes we must if it saves one South African life, so if he is the best in the position, he should be in the Bok squad and be in for World Cup running.
Whether he is good enough is entirely a matter of personal opinion…I happen to think he would be the perfect partner for Mossie and we should look elsewhere for a fullback.
nuf said. JMHO
@ superBul: Ah, I think he came to SA because he had to work with the squad before the game, remember they went over, played just about immediately and then came back. He went back to France after the game I think (I stand to be corrected, as I do not recall exactly what happened)
@ 4man:
OK i will leave it there, you are right he works for Racing, i wish the Bok management do it right next time.
I said earlier this week if he is needed as a late replacement after a injury to someone, the 2 week notice counts him out, so the contract that he signed willingly will always be a hamper on his career.
According to reports he is doing well at center over there , so if we need a center i wont mind his call up. But like you said we must find a fullback
@ superBul: I like your idea of Daniller, you know I like Stefan…a wise steady head at the back is never a problem, Percy proved that…what about Willem de Waal?
@ 4man:
We dont really have players with the size , speed and class of Muliaina, we can either go for a solid player like Frans or Daniller. Or we can go with the lightweights like Aplon, Pietersen or Zane, all brave and all tending to be nippy.
Frans is not nippy or sharp, he is solid
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