Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber explains Morne Steyn's test recall

June 06, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

Morné Steyn is in line to experience the rare honour of facing the British & Irish Lions for a second time after claiming a recall to the Springbok squad featuring several Rugby World Cup winners and exciting uncapped players for the Lions Series and Georgia internationals.

The hero of the 2009 Lions Series for the Springboks, Steyn last represented the Springboks also a few five years ago. He scored all 15 of the Springboks' points in their disappointing 57-15 loss to the All Blacks on 8 October, 2016.

It appeared that it would be end of his test career as he was not picked again by former Springbok coach Allister Coetzee while Rassie Erasmus did not give the veteran a look in, in the build up to the Rugby World Cup.

His return to South Africa from Stade Francais has proved to be the turning point for Steyn who has never given up on representing the Springboks. He has guided the Bulls to a Super Rugby Unlocked and Currie Cup title while the side look set to top the Rainbow Cup standings as well.

Speaking last month, Steyn revealed that he never gave up on adding to his 66 test caps and the return home was part his plans to return to the Green and Gold.

“I think for any player in South Africa at any union the dream and the motivation is always to play for the Springboks‚” said Steyn

“Playing for the Boks will always be the case for me until I hang my boots. I definitely want to play for the Springboks again and it is one of the things that motivate me because I am a very competitive guy. Wherever I am playing‚ I want to be the best flyhalf on the field.

"When I came back to the Bulls I said I am not coming back to sit on the bench. I am here to be the best number 10 and that will always be my goal.”

Steyn's inclusion in the Springbok squad sees Sharks pivot Curwin Bosch miss out. Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber suggested that it was Steyn's consistency that ultimately saw him included over the Sharks flyhalf.

"The big thing we were looking for there was consistency," said Nienaber.

"If you look at the most consistent flyhalf after Covid-19 in South Africa, it was probably Morne, not to take anything away from Curwin."

Nienaber added that he saw a bright South African future for Bosch.

"His [Bosch's] X-factor is phenomenal and he can win games for you out of nothing," Nienaber said.

"He's only 23 and as he grows a little bit older and plays more big games - Currie Cup finals like he did this year - he will probably get more consistent.

"I can see him playing a lot of Test matches for South Africa."