Drought down under baffles Springbok
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok veteran Frans Steyn is perplexed with his team’s losing streak against the Wallabies in Australia.
The Boks will face the Wallabies in a Rugby Championship RoundTthree clash at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
The last time the Springboks registered a victory against the Wallabies on Australian soil was in 2013.
Steyn was unable to pinpoint the exact reasons for that stat, but he hopes there will be a change to the history books this weekend.
Only four players in the Springbok squad currently on tour in Australia featured in the 38-12 victory in Brisbane nine years ago – Eben Etzebeth, Siyamthanda Kolisi, Duane Vermeulen and Willie le Roux.
Steyn, who has been named as one of three backline players on the replacements bench, said: “Personally, I thought we struggled a bit more over here than we did in New Zealand back in the Super Rugby days as well, but I am not sure what the reason was for that.
“Luckily, we have an opportunity to do something special here this weekend, and hopefully we can achieve that. It certainly would be a big achievement for the team, especially since it hasn’t happened often.”
This will be the first time Steyn will be in action for the Boks this year following the injury he sustained during a Currie Cup match for the Cheetahs.
#ICYMI: An ideal time for Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies to turn his fortunes around. #RugbyChampionship #SouthAfrica #Springboks #Australia #Wallabies #AUSvRSA https://t.co/Vl9qXX7emN
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) August 25, 2022
Steyn will make his 75th Test for the Boks should he take to the field on Saturday.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity and hopefully we [bench players can make an impact when we take the field.
“In terms of my game, I received the opportunity to play against New Zealand last year, and this week I have another chance to play for the Boks, and hopefully I can deliver a good performance.”
At 35 years old, Steyn has delivered some memorable kicks for the Springboks and supporters would be expecting more of the same as the South Africans look to end their losing streak.
However, the veteran admitted he will take up a very different role for the Boks this week.
“I’m older now and don’t do much training anymore when it comes to kicking – my knees get sore now,” Steyn said.
“Even in my younger days I never practised the kicking a whole lot.
“And, when I was younger I played mainly wing and fullback and had the opportunity to have a go sometimes with a (long-range) drop, but now that I’m in the centres there are not many chances for that.
“I’m now closer to the breakdowns and tackles, so we’ll have to wait and see.”
#ICYMI: The Springboks’ famous ‘Bomb squad’ has not lost its assertiveness despite a five-three bench split, according to prop Vincent Koch. #RugbyChampionship #SouthAfrica #Springboks #Australia #Wallabies #AUSvRSA https://t.co/pML4IEpVao
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) August 25, 2022
