- To mark Frans Steyn's historic milestone of 15 years as a Springbok player, Sport24 compiled his top five most memorable Test performances.
- In some games, he needed only a penalty or a couple of drop-goals to affect the game, but his impact was felt all the same.
- If he takes the field at Murrayfield this weekend, Steyn will overtake Victor Matfield’s 14-year, 122-day stay at the top.
Springbok utility back Frans Steyn said he didn’t know how many more Tests were coming for him down the pike, so he had to play each game as if it was his last.
It’s spurred the 34-year-old’s renaissance in green and gold since reintegrating into the team under Allister Coetzee, then Rassie Erasmus and now Jacques Nienaber follow a five-year absence.
Steyn will complete 15 years a Springbok if he comes on against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday (15:00 SA time), overtaking Victor Matfield’s 14-year, 122-day stay at the top.
He had a virtuoso performance for almost every position he’s played in for South Africa and at every spectrum of his career, from being the youngest World Cup winner in 2007 to the veteran that’s lighting up European fields during this year’s end-year tour.
Here are the top five performances Springbok fans might remember him by:
1. 2007 Rugby World Cup final vs England - 2007
On the many penalties Steyn has scored for the Springboks in his 15-year sojourn at the top of the game, the one against England in the World Cup final in France is arguably the most important.
At the time, the Boks had never scored a try in a World Cup final before, so three-pointers were hugely valuable currency at the Stade de France.
Granted, Percy Montgomery’s 12-pointer was the most decisive kicking performance but this game will go down in Steyn’s personal collection as a memorable effort.
It’s easy to forget that Steyn was still only a 20-year-old at the time and filled in for Jean de Villiers at inside centre after the latter tore his biceps at the tournament.
Many might take it for granted but it wouldn’t have been a simple task to slot a 48m penalty in a World Cup final at that age, which he did with unerring ease in the 62nd minute.
It was the score that put SA 15-6 up, a nine-point cushion from which England never recovered.
2. Debut vs Ireland - 2006
Playing at left wing in the “most rookie” back three of all time - with debutant fullback Bevin Fortuin and right wing Jaco Pretorius - Steyn proved a handful for the Irish defence at Lansdowne Road.
Ireland’s pivot Ronan O’Gara kicked down Steyn’s throat frequently during the match, trying to put the highly-rated 19-year-old under pressure.
The hosts also strung most of their attacks on their right towards Steyn’s wing hoping veteran outside centre Brian O’Driscoll and winger Shane Horgan would make him crumble.
But Steyn held his own and not once looked out of place in international rugby.
Although the Springboks lost the match to a vastly more experienced side, the game told then-head coach Jake White plenty that he needed to know about who would make the cut for the following year’s Rugby World Cup.
After showing incredible skill, speed and composure to score on debut, Steyn became a shoo-in for White’s squad.
3. Springboks vs Australia - 2007
Most people remember this performance for Steyn’s incredible two drop-goals that sunk the Wallabies late at Newlands for a 22-19 Springbok win.
After Matt Giteau cancelled Jaque Fourie’s try, Sterling Mortlock’s boot had Australia in front of the Boks from late in the first half.
Steyn came on in the second half with a three-point deficit to overhaul at 19-16 to the Wallabies in a fiercely tight game.
From an impossible angle, Steyn slotted his first drop-kick from near the right-hand touchline just inside the 10m line in enemy territory.
And with less than three minutes on the clock, scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar went straight to the youngster for the clinching drop-goal.
4. Springboks vs Australia - 2010
Australia has historically loathed a game played on the highveld but they were up for this one.
The Wallabies made a fast start through Will Genia, James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale, who were a handful early in the contest.
This was Matfield’s 100th Test, in front of his most loyal supporters and the Boks wanted to put on a show for the fans.
Steyn also loved a game against the Wallabies, especially in conditions he was familiar with and in an open game like this one.
Playing at fullback, Steyn wasn’t confined to the backfield, where he could only operate with his boot but got involved in the in-play action, too.
He scored the try that took South Africa ahead at 32-31 and contributed a penalty to the 44-31 breath-taking encounter.
5. Springbok vs Wales (and New Zealand) - 2021
Perhaps it’s recency bias, but Steyn’s last two Test performances from the bench have brought his outstanding qualities to the fore once more.
At 34, Steyn doesn’t move as fluidly as he once did but in the second Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks at Robina Stadium, he put on a performance that only enhanced his cult hero status.
After replacing fullback Willie le Roux at the break, Steyn plied New Zealand with territorial bombs that kept them largely playing in uncomfortable areas, which contributed to SA’s 31-29 win.
Last weekend against Wales, this time coming in early for Damian Willemse, Steyn dialled his performances up a few notches and displayed even greater verve than he did in Australasia.
Wales had to contend with his physicality and couldn’t get the better of him with their long kicks behind the Springbok defensive line either.
He scooped the Man-of-the-Match award for a performance that will endear him to many Springbok fans long after he’s hung up his boots.