'When I stop getting angry, that's when I retire'
INTERVIEW: Two-time World Cup winner François Philippus Lodewyk Steyn has given the most sincere answer you will ever hear, when the 34-year-old was asked how long he will continue to play for.
Having seen it all – two World Cup winner’s medals, 2007 and 2019, with stints in France and Japan, he has now settled in Bloemfontein with his family.
The utility back – equally at home at flyhalf, centre wing or fullback – is still putting in Man of the Match performances for the Cheetahs.
He was again a key figure when the Cheetahs kept their unbeaten Currie Cup run intact with a hard-fought 24-17 win over the Western Province in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.
Inevitably the question of Steyn’s longevity came up at the post-match media briefing.
Defence coach Charl Strydom suggested Steyn has another three good years left in him.
Asked if he thinks he has another Springbok season his seasoned legs, Steyn responded sardonically that those issues don’t concern him much at the moment.
“I am enjoying my rugby at present,” the 74-times capped Test utility back said.
“I am enjoying it here at the Free State.
“My children are here in the school [in Bloemfontein].
“My wife is happy and there are some nice people at the Free State.”
He said the decision about a Springbok call-up is not his decision to make.
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“That is a decision for the [Bok] coaches to make.
“I enjoy where I am at the moment and I am enjoying life.”
The assistant coach, Strydom, added that Steyn is currently in “great” shape.
“Frans and Ruan train together, with the team, every practice,” Strydom said, adding: “I have no doubt he can deliver a few kilometres, for whichever team he plays.”
While the assistant coach gestured that there may be as many as four years left in his legs, Steyn said he will “wait and see”.
“As I said, I am still enjoying it at the Free State.
“I still get angry on the field.
“The day that I am no longer angry and accept mediocrity, average, that is the day I will stop.
“At the moment I still get angry and want to compete. People still make me angry on the field.
“I am still okay.”
Speaking of the table-topping Cheetahs, Steyn said they are building something ‘very good’ in Bloemfontein.
“We have a group of very good players,” he said of a team that includes fellow Bok and 38-year-old Cheetahs captain Ruan Pienaar.
“When we were kicked out of the URC [Pro14] a number of players departed,” he said of the decision by the South African Rugby Union to kick them out of Pro Rugby in Europe in 2020 – the same year he returned to Bloemfontein from his stints in Japan and France.
“It was a very bad year for us,” Steyn added.
“I truly feel there is something special happening here [in Bloemfontein].
“I am looking forward to seeing where the Free State can go in the future.
“Even if I am finished, I feel there is something great coming.”
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