CONFIRMED: Cheetahs lure Springbok home

TRANSFER NEWS: Two-time World Cup-winning Springbok Francois Steyn has signed a deal with Pro14 side Cheetahs.

Following the 2019 World Cup, media reports emerged that the  Springboks utility back was set to call time on his European club adventure and exit Montpellier.

Steyn joined the French side in 2016  from the Sharks and will now return to South Africa with his family.

Steyn’s new move to Cheetahs was confirmed by the Free State franchise.

According to the franchise’s statement, the 32-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the South African side and will join the team on July 1.

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“We are delighted to announce that Frans Steyn has signed a two-year agreement with the Cheetahs, starting on July 1.”, said Harold Verster, MD of Free State Rugby (Pty) Ltd.

He added: “Further to the signing of Frans Steyn, the majority of the players will remain with the Cheetahs for the following season.”

Attending Grey College in Bloemfontein, Steyn joined the Sharks straight after school in 2006.

The Springbok will add loads of experience to the struggling Cheetahs side.

Steyn played his first of 67 matches for the Springboks at the young age of 19 and become the second Springbok, following the former Cheetah, Os du Randt, to win two Rugby World Cups; once in 2007 and again in 2019. He can play at flyhalf, centre and fullback, and made his Test debut for the Boks on the wing.

Despite playing the majority of his career abroad Steyn has been a frequent feature of Springbok squads and has worked under numerous Springbok coaches including Peter de Villiers, Jake White, Heyneke Meyer, Allister Coetzee and more recently Rassie Erasmus.

Steyn’s transfer will see him reunite with Springbok and Montpellier teammate Ruan Pienaar, who joined the Bloemfontein-based team last year.

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