Springboks could be a World Cup-less if it wasn’t for Frans Steyn’s elite kicking.

Who could forget his long-range conversion in the dying moments of the 2007 World Cup final, becoming the youngest player (19) to lift the Web Ellis Cup?

Twelve years later, he was in another World Rugby final, coming off the bench against England in 2019 – when one thinks of iconic Springbok moments, it’s hard not to picture a moment orchestrated by Steyn.

He was as versatile as they come, able to play centre, fly-half, full-back and wing with ease – in his heyday, few players were more deadly than the former Montpellier man.

Where is he now?

Steyn hung up his boots two years ago but is still living and breathing rugby, becoming the Director of Rugby at the Cheetahs.

The 37-year-old will work tirelessly towards the club’s junior programme, ensuring their budding talent for years to come.

The Springbok kicker, who made his debut in 2006 and went onto play seventy-eight times for South Africa, was recently in the news in response to Super Rugby’s team allocation, saying, “I know the French don’t really want South African teams in the European competitions. You can also see how seriously the French take it these days – teams that come to South Africa are rarely their strongest sides.”

“I think South African teams being in the European Cup, it definitely hurt that competition towards certain individuals. I think the Cheetahs wouldn’t mind going to Super Rugby – we want to play an attacking brand of rugby and in Europe, you need a big pack of forwards. I know when I was in France, the French, the day they pitch up, it’s a very difficult day and they’re big boys and so it can be a tough day.”

“For the Free State, a return to Super Rugby or a permanent spot in a Northern Hemisphere competition would be ideal. The current situation—playing just four games and then struggling to find matches during the rest of the year—doesn’t work for us.”

What was your favourite Frans Steyn Springbok moment?

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/where-is-former-springbok-kicker-frans-steyn-now/