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.”
@ nga puhi:
Morning bro, whatsup here?
Problems at the Church it seems…
nortierd wrote:
methinks I may not get the margin point 👿
Pietman wrote:
probably a saders c team, but I tipped the Poms anyways, think they have targeted this game as their one win on tour
@ nga puhi:
@30 Yip, Saders also playing dirt trackers, we spoke about it last night.
nga puhi wrote:
Aaah ok then, let them have it then mate
Piet, got to keep encouraging them bro, lets let them do a victory lap AFTER an actual victory
Cipriani looks the business, better than that pompous little prick Farrell, imho…
He and Barrett combining well.
Owen preaching scrum rules to Saders…
Saders warming into the game
try Saders
12-5 Eng, kick from right in front
handbags after try is scored..
12-7 Eng
Barrett!
try to Eng
barrett scores.
17-7, kick to come
19-7
Should have been Saders penalty at line-out though…
Owens very lenient here, frustrating the Saders…
Barrett of the Saders the brother of BB?
Another Barrett brother at Blues as well? Big sporting family that!
Pietman wrote:
I see Farrell is out of the third test with an injury
Goode!
Turnover.
Poms too smart up front…
Eng in again, this is becoming a training run… poor defense the Saders.
26-7 Eng
@ nortierd:
@48 Really?
Well, they have Cipriani now…
England really messing up my day.
What the hell is wrong with the Crusaders?
Are the Poms this good?
time for oranges
should have tipped Eng by more to be honest, they not finished yet.
nga puhi wrote:
Yes man, me too, I only have Poms by 15….this was a banker, for sure.
I have them by 5 Piet, so need a couple of saders tries with no Eng response.
watching the game thats definitely not going to happen 😡
1 dimensional and just a kicker. once pollard is blooded in we will be like. morne who?
nortierd wrote:
Poms not THAT good, but they are playing Saders reserves…
Pietman wrote:
There are still quite a few Crusaders in the side that has been playing SR all year, no excuse for them.
Swak man, swak
Maybe the SH is not as superior?
Would have thought the top NZ franchise should be able to sort out the 3rd choice English players
Saders still in it. Not giving up, should have scored there but for excellent Poms defence.
No way they can come back from 19 points down.
Two weeks of picks down the drain in one game, fark but I’m pissed off now, should have taken the chicken route and just played it safe
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