A full 12 years after his international debut, Blue Bulls Fly-half Morne Steyn is in fine form, and has his boot in the door for a Springbok call up. Having made his test debut in 2009 during the 1st test against the British and Irish Lions, the player has come full circle and may just be set to line up against them again.
Following his return to Pretoria, he has performed exceedingly well in the number 10 Jersey under coach Jake White, including his man of the match performance against the Sharks this past weekend. At the age of 36, he looks like he can still kick it with the youngsters and his wealth of experience could definitely add value to the Springbok’s cause.
Steyn would have to compete with the likes of Handre Pollard, who just returned for Montpellier, after a long injury lay off, Elton Jantjies who is currently with French side Pau as a medical joker, as well the likes of Curwin Bosch, and Damian Willemse. Steyn was included in the Springbok alignment camps earlier this month and must be on Jacques Nienaber’s radar after his sides continuously strong showings with him at the helm.
Steyn boasts 66 test caps for the Springboks, scoring 736 points. He has won the u21 World Cup, 2 Currie Cups, 3 Super Rugby titles, 1 Tri-Nations and a Top 14 title. Steyn moved to Stade Francais in 2013 and spent almost 7 years with the side before returning to his home country. Steyn also boasts the world record for most points scored by a player in a test (31) after he scored all his sides points against the All Blacks in 2009. He was also the fastest player to reach 100 points after it took him only 8 tests.
His last test appearance came in 2016 and the holder of multiple records for club and country will be eager to add a second Lions tour trophy to his cabinet should he get the call up come July. The player himself has indicated his strong desire to represent his country remarking:
“I think for any player in South Africa at any union, the dream and motivation is always to play for the Springboks.”
Steyn will once again marshal his side this weekend as the face the Lions in the Rainbow Nations Cup with the Bulls look set to make it to the North v South final on the 26th of June as they remain undefeated. Barring injury, the player may just get his chance to pull on the famed green and gold of the Springboks again, and here is hoping he can muster up a repeat against his old foe, the British and Irish Lions.