Frans Steyn was released from the Springbok squad at his own request on Tuesday and will not appear in Saturday’s match against Wales at Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban.
The player advised SARU officials that that he did not wish to be considered for the Castle Lager Incoming series. “The environment in the Springbok squad is fantastic and I would like to state categorically that my relationship with Heyneke Meyer, the rest of the management and my team-mates is very good,” said Steyn.
Steyn – who is expected to take up a contract in Japan at the end of Vodacom Super Rugby Series – said that he wished for time to reflect on his Springbok future.
He indicated he would be available for the Cell C Sharks once the June internationals are completed.
“I have spoken at length to Frans and we are happy to accede to his request,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of the South African Rugby Union (SARU).
“He has asked for some time to consider his international playing future and we must respect that. Let me make it clear that he has not retired from international rugby, but he has requested a break from it.”
Roux added that Steyn had asked for privacy at this time.
“This is not an ideal situation, but, in other instances, sudden player absences through injury are not uncommon and I’m sure Heyneke and the selectors will adapt to his unavailability. Frans is now out of the squad and team management will respect his wish for privacy by not speculating on his decision or his likely return.”
@ MacroBok:
Fair call but to pull out in the middle of a test series, he has history though when he ran and took the money after WC 07′, other than a big boot he doesn’t offer much else so this is good news for the Bokke long term.
@ cane:
lol
Let’s not forget that Frans Steyn withdrew from the Springbok match against Wales in 2010!
I somehow think Gerrie Swart is involved here again…he has always tried to ensure that he is the middle man between Steyn and the national coach/SARU, at times ensuring that his client becomes “uncontactable”.
Remember what Peter de Villiers had to say after Fransie withdrew from the Springbok team in 2010: “There has never been tension between Frans and I. The problem involves me and Frans’s agent Gerrie Swart. Gerrie has poisoned Frans’s mind by saying I don’t want him in the Springbok setup, which is far from the truth. It’s because of these lies that Frans does not want to play for the Boks. Two weeks ago Gerrie sent me an e-mail saying on Frans’s behalf that he doesn’t want to play for the Boks. He also suggested some players I should replace Frans with.”
@ grootblousmile:
Dankie vir die welkom.
just a few questions:
1. does anyone know who instigated the talks with steyn to leave metro?
2. I don’t think it was the sharks cause if I remember correctly there was a bit of uncertainty for who he would play?? (can anyone clear that up?)
3. if it was indeed SARU, on what grounds was he asked to come back?
4. was it perhaps suggested to him that he will only be able to play for the boks if he represented a superrugby side? (with the now much discussed promises about added payment to make up for his losses)
5. if (4) is true, then I can see why he’s unhappy. he took a massive pay-cut to represent the boks again, but since then, more current springboks left our shores for their pot of gold!
@ NZINCHINA:
yep we are not losing much yet. but it sets a president to otger players.
In South Africa frans steyn has just purged his bok career though, he and luke watson is in the same boat now forever.
@ WP Till I Die:
Great seeing you here mate… I see Stormer/WP supporters are still ruling the blogs… 😆
Now we could do with a Katman – to boost our one Lions supporter here 😉
We are also in need of a Psychologist… Dog food would do great here…
Nikita didn’t even have to blog here – houdini happened all by itself…
@ Ashley:
exactly! I would be seriously pissed off of I was him, excellent point, he could have stayed at racing metro.
I have vented my thoughts on FS… Where is the pride to don the Bok jersey… If money is the only reason for battle then his loss is SA’s gain… nuff said…
@ WP Till I Die:
And a big welcome hug from us Kiwi’s here as well WPTID.
😕
@ cane:
Kia ora, old-timer.
@ Gumboots:
It’s been a tough year to be a Stormer. But Taute restored some order to the Force after the hooter in Durban.
128 @ Gumboots:
Gummy Berry Juice,
Yeah, I agree.
If your hassle is about money & contractual matters, take SARU on legally, through your lawyer… in the background and not in a public spat and not by means of a walk-out like a teen brat, throwing a hissy fit.
It has to be noted that this is not the first time Frans has done this in a public fashion… and really, enough is enough!
I hope he never dons the Green and Gold again!
@ Gumboots:
it is a great honour and privilage, but at what stage would you realise you are being taken advantage of?
Rugby is not an amateur sport anymorr it is a full time job.
Surely anyone would come to a point where you sit and think “wait a minute, everyone else is making money off of me”
WP Till I Die wrote:
Tough is a bit of an understatement, and yeah that drop was something that made this blog lose quite a few bloggers… 😆
@ cane:
I’m googling it
😆
Hey WPTID, welcome chap!
He ihu kuri, he tangata haere.
134 @ Gumboots:
Ag, they will be back… the Tjarks are like that… all sulky and surly for a number of weeks, till suddenly they are back as if nothing happened.
@ MacroBok:
Didn’t he also get married on a test match day and make himself unavailable,clearly the jersey means nothing to him so the Bokke will be better off.
Gumboots wrote:
Heyyyyy. L4E and yours truly already equals a quantity > 1.
All others though will be gladly welcomed. (Although I must admit to being a somewhat militant Lions supporter!) No head in the sand k@k here.
nzinchina @ 139
forgot about that!
@ NZINCHINA:
flip van der merwe is also not playing this weekend to attend a wedding. francois louw also missed a test. do you also question their loyalty?
grootblousmile wrote:
Yeah we know… We have experience much the same with them… they just need to get another win… going to be tough though – then abracadabra …
122 @ WP Till I Die:
that’s heavy
The days of loyalty in professional team sport are all but gone.
There are very few professional (team) sportsmen who have gone through a whole carreer without changing allegiances somewere.
Funnily enough, most of those I can think of off the top of my head are association Football (soccer) players.
Gerhard, Giggs, and Scholes jump to mind. Rugby players? Not too many high profile players’ names jump up and smack me on the nose. In fact there aren’t any.
Come on you lot, throw the names out.
Scrumdown wrote:
@ MacroBok:
The birth of your child fair enough, but can’t these guys get married in the off season?
@ Gumboots:
hehe when the sharks win super rugby they will all be back + all of their friends.
145 @ Scrumdown:
Of course I write of CLUB allegiance.
Club v Country is an altogether different “kettle of fish”.
@ NZINCHINA:
whens the off season? Christmas? They only get December’s.
besides all the rugby wives willing to plan weddings around the rugby season are already taken 😀
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