Can Steyn maintain his fairytale start?
Morné Steyn is a rare breed in Springbok rugby in that he has never lost a Test match against the All Blacks. However, with his fairytale debut season in international rugby over, the Bulls pivot now has to show that he is a man for all seasons.
Three wins from three against New Zealand must have the gifted Bulls pivot wondering what all the fuss surrounding the All Blacks is about. But that impressive record will be under serious threat when the Springboks head to Eden Park on Saturday – a venue where they have not tasted victory since 1937.
And, if South Africa are to make history in Auckland, the 25-year-old will need to be at his nerveless best – both with ball in hand and from the kicking tee.
Of course, it is the latter talent that has seen Steyn thrust into the spotlight as a world-class No.10, and although his general play has improved exponentially since his spectacular debut against the British and Irish Lions last year, his metronomic boot continues to amaze both friend and foe.
In a Springbok career that spans only 15 Tests (12 starts), Steyn has already amassed 192 points. That means that he is worth almost 13 points every time he steps on to the field for the Boks. Against the All Blacks he has been even better, scoring 53 points in just three appearances against the Men in Black.
There is no greater rivalry in world rugby than that between the Springboks and the All Blacks, but there is no doubt that Steyn is at his best when the pressure gauge is turned up a few notches. That he has scored more points against the All Blacks than against any other nation is testament to the fact that he is a man for the big occasion. (Remember that nerveless long-range penalty goal to win the the series against the B&I Lions last year?)
Now though, Steyn faces pressure of a different kind – the pressure of expectation. No-one thought he would perform as well as he did in his debut season, but he no longer has that luxury in, this, his second year of Test rugby.
Up against Dan Carter this weekend, Steyn could not have asked for a better test of his flyhalf credentials at the highest level, and all eyes will be on a battle upon which the destination of the Tri-Nations trophy could well depend.
The young South African may have made an impressive start to his career, but it is worth taking a look at some of Carter’s statistics – most of which make for impressive reading.
In 69 Test matches, Carter has scored 1055 points at an average of over 15 per game and, like Steyn, he seems to get better in All Blacks-Springbok clashes.
In 12 matches against South Africa, Carter has scored 182 points and won twice as many games as he has lost. There is little doubt that Carter remains the most complete flyhalf in the world, and the scary thing is we have yet to see the best of him this season. If we do, Steyn will have the challenge of his career on his hands.
The Bulls ace has responded to everything thrown at him in the Test arena thus far, and then some, but without Fourie du Preez at his side, Saturday could prove decisive – not only for the Tri-Nations, but for Morné Steyn’s Test career.
By Tim Human
