After 3 consecutive losses, there are the inevitable shouts of change from Springbok supporters and critics, most notably calls for the inclusion of fullback Francois Steyn.
Steyn is currently plying his trade in France for Racing Metro, and there are many rumours that the reason he is not being picked by Peter de Villiers is for a rift between the two. I don’t believe that is the case, and like de Villiers, I don’t think Steyn merits inclusion in the Springbok side.
Currently Francois Steyn sits behind at least Zane Kirchener and Gio Aplon in the pecking order.
There is no doubt that Francois Steyn is a talented individual. He possesses a monster boot, and can kick long range penalties that no one else can.
Jon Cardinelli wrote on Keo, that Peter de Villiers should swallow his pride, and that the Bok coach won’t find a better fullback than Frans Steyn between now and the 2011 World Cup
However he is not the answer to the Boks current problems. For a start there are too many weaknesses to his game. Gone are the days you can carry an individual just for their boot.
ALL ROUND GAME?
Cardinelli argues that Steyn has the all round game that the Boks require. However how often has Steyn delivered for the Boks?
He contributed with the boot in the 2007 World Cup final, and apart from the 2007 Tri-Nations match against Australia in Cape Town where his 2 drop goals helped the Boks, the indivual try against Italy in 2008, and the long range kicks against the All Blacks in Hamilton in 2009, Steyn has failed to deliver on his promise.
As a fullback defensively he is a liability. If you watch through the British and Irish Lions series in 2009, you’ll notice that Steyn was caught out of position in both the 1st and 2nd tests, caught moving backwards when he should have moved forward to tackle the ball carrier.
Zane Kirchner rarely misses a tackle (however he did get caught by Israel Dagg who stepped through 5 other Boks in Wellington), and more importantly is always in good position, takes the ball carrier effectively and is not one of those fullbacks always trying to make the desperate cover tackle in the corner because he’s been caught out.
How many tries has Steyn scored or set up for others? How often does he break the line? His game is a power game using his strength. At international level, it hasn’t created nearly enough try scoring opportunities for himself or others.
Both Kirchner and Gio Aplon can break the line and set others away. They’ve just been performing in a Bok backline that has struggled to make the most of their opportunities because they’ve been going backwards most of the game.
Both Zane Kirchner (2009 and 2010) and Gio Aplon (2010) have proven how consistent they are over the course of the Super 14 with tries, assists and match winning performances. Steyn has rarely excelled week in week out at this level. In fact he was a large factor in the Sharks losing the 2007 Super 14 final.
He played the first test of the season against Wales, and it was hardly a stand out performance.
MENTALLY WEAK
The biggest problem I have with Francois Steyn at fullback is his mental game.
He left the Sharks at the age of 22 primarily because he couldn’t handle the pressure. Sure he has a World Cup winners medal, but with so much left to achieve in the world of rugby, it doesn’t say much about his mental strength that he felt he needed to step away from the limelight.
If he really had the desire to play for the Boks he’d have stayed, and worked on his deficiencies. I’d be wary of playing him at fullback for fear of not knowing what I am likely to get. He may be world class, but then again he may give you a club level performance.
Francois Steyn has talents. He is not the answer to the Boks as a fullback but his strengths may be better utilised as an inside centre where his power could help set up the Boks attack. However until he comes back to South Africa I’d question his commitment and mental ability.
Sanjay. At fullback I agree Francois is not my first choice but neither are Zane and especially not Gio. Gio is a defensive liability and his speed and agility don’t make up for that. Zane is so so. He has had some good games for the bulls but his tackling I feel is not at Francois level. His decision making is also poor. Just my opinion. Pat lambie for me should the number one choice at fullback. He has all the right qualities. Francois for me should be the number one choice at inside center.
Hi Brandon,
Thanks for your comments.
I disagree about fullback. Gio Aplon is not a defensive liability, I’ve rarely seen him miss a tackle.
Zane is the best in my view at coming into the line or up from his line to make a tackle. And his strength is putting others away. On attack he also comes into the line, something F Steyn rarely does.
Francois Steyn has poor positional play and is too clumsy underfoot for me at fullback. He can kick goals for sure, but I still think his all round game is sorely lacking. He also communicates poorly and struggles to put players away outside him, something that makes a good centre or flyhalf. If anything he could slot into a wing berth, lacking pace, but more of a burly, brwany winger that possibly suits the way the Boks play.
Hi Sanjay
I like the way you assess the game, but we will agree to disagree then. Franz is inconsistent and needs to be under good leadership. On his day he is a match winner. He is not the smartest player on the field and tries to do too much, but at times he shows a lot of potential. However I look at it this way, would I rather be up against Franz, Gio or Zane. Franz scares me a whole lot more even at fullback. What are your thoughts on Lambie at fullback?
Hi Brandon,
Sure it’s fine we disagree, we obviosuly see the game and the way we’d like it played differently. Neither of us is wrong, but maybe one way would be more conducive to success. I guess that is the dilemma coaches face too.
Agree Franz is inconsistent, but he has produced some superb performances and moments in his Bok career. I personally don’t think that we should reward the odd performance and that is why I favour guys who I know are more consistent.
I also don’t think it matters if there is a guy you see as scary or a guy you think you can run over. All that matters is if he tackles you when it counts! How many guys got past Breyton Paulse? (including one J Lomu!) He is not scary at all, but he did his job, and on attack he could be brilliant (if only we trusted him and used him more wisely).
A Brent Russell was hardly scary, but there was a guy who could score you massive amounts of tries, but nobody believed in him.
I am still not convinced on Lambie, anywhere on the field. Solid in the basics, but I still feel a bit suspect under pressure and has not done enough for me to really marvel at. Probably needs more time at Super 15 and CC level before we can truly assess him. Put it this way, I wouldn’t put him as a starting Bok fullback, and he doesn’t have enough of an X factor for me to consider him as an impact player.
Hi Sanjay
Very interesting what you have written here. Do you really believe Frans Steyn does not have an all round game? I do agree with you that he may not be the answer at fullback. I think Pat Lambie may do a good job there. Zane and Gio has done very well here but i think Zane seems to lack self belief and Gio plays better when he is at wing (he adds a lot from there). To go ahead and say that frans steyn does not have an all round game however, I can not agree with. I do believe his best position will be 12 abd he has proved that when he plays there he really performs (e.g. Curry Cup Final 2008). He is quick, defends well, and has a great boot. I do believe that he is not playing to his potential because he is being moved around to much! Once Jean de Villiers retires he will be my natural choice at 12 with Jacques Fourie at 13 (Juan de Jong once Fourie retires). 15 then remains a problem. I remember Percey Montgomery saying that JP Peterson would be a good replacement for him…interesting.