Morne Steyn to move to Stade Francais?

[TRF_heineken]

Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn’s apparent move to Stade Francais has been denied by the Vodacom Bulls on Tuesday.

A French newspaper report said that Steyn was in the process of finalising a contract with the French club but the Bulls have no knowledge of any negotiations as Steyn is under contract to them.

Bulls High Performance manager Xander Janse van Rensburg confirmed to supersport.com that Steyn, who only returned from the Bok tour of Ireland, Scotland and England on Monday, was still under contract until the end of 2013.

However, supersport.com’s sources say that Steyn will meet with coach Frans Ludeke this week to discuss the offer, which has apparently been made.

Steyn’s motivation for considering the offer seems simple enough, although the player has said nothing whether or not he is considering it.

After being the Bok incumbent flyhalf for more than two years and breaking several records in the process, Steyn experienced a form slump this year and lost his place in the Bok starting line-up as a consequence.

Steyn seems now to have fallen behind both Pat Lambie and Johan Goosen in the Bok pecking order.

It would be surprising if the Bulls would accede to any request to release Steyn, especially as they have young Louis Fouche and Handre Pollard as their two other flyhalves for Super Rugby and neither has a wealth of experience at this level.

time will tell if this rumour is more true than false... the question is: Would the Bulls release him if he requests to leave? and will Stade Francais play him?

We all know the Bulls and their players moving to France in the past has caused some problems, even went to court about Bakkies Botha's dispute...

 

[Sker]

Maybe he'll do a Percy and come back a much better player.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I really do think though that it'd be best for Steyn, the Bulls and SA; with both Vermaak or Hougaard at 9 you don't get that complementory combination you had with FdP at 9 and Steyn at 10 and with the centers and tempo game the Bulls will be looking to build towards I truelly think someone else - who can put some pace on the ball so to speak- would work better (maybe look to lure Goosen so that Goosen, Lambie and jantjies are each playing for the 'big 3').

 

[TRF_heineken]

I really do think though that it'd be best for Steyn, the Bulls and SA; with both Vermaak or Hougaard at 9 you don't get that complementory combination you had with FdP at 9 and Steyn at 10 and with the centers and tempo game the Bulls will be looking to build towards I truelly think someone else - who can put some pace on the ball so to speak- would work better (maybe look to lure Goosen so that Goosen, Lambie and jantjies are each playing for the 'big 3').

I just hope that Louis Fouche doesn't get the first pick, he's kak under pressure...

Handre Pollard has been included in the Bulls Super Rugby training squad, so most probably he'll then get the nod. Other options are Jurgen Visser and maybe Derick Hougaard... though Hougaard is not fit at the moment and his focus is on coaching rather than playing...

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Pollard has proved he has the composure IMO. The world junior championship might be junior rugby but I think SR isn't too much of a step up for someone who has shown class in a pressure final there. I'm sure he'll slot right in if given the chance.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Pollard has proved he has the composure IMO. The world junior championship might be junior rugby but I think SR isn't too much of a step up for someone who has shown class in a pressure final there. I'm sure he'll slot right in if given the chance.

I Hope so... He still has to finish High School now. then he'll be moving to Snor-city...

The other guy who could play is of course Elton's younger brother, Tony Jantjies

 

[psychic duck]

I assume Steyn is being looked at as a potential replacement for the 35 year old Contepomi who is approaching retirement soon.

But people in France who care about the national team will be dismayed at this move. As it will likely mean that young Jules Plisson will be blocked getting into the Stade team.

It must be infuriating for French fans that their best young players like Jean-Marcelin Buttin, Pierrick Gunther and Christopher Tolofua have their progress blocked by international has beens like Lee Byrne, Joe van Niekerk and Gary Botha.

From a neutrals perspective, I hope this doesn't go through as it will turn Stade who are quite an exciting side into another boring Top 14 side which there are already a number of in the league. A match where Steyn and Beauxis are the fly halves would be extremely dull just looking at those two names on the teamsheet.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I assume Steyn is being looked at as a potential replacement for the 35 year old Contepomi who is approaching retirement soon.

But people in France who care about the national team will be dismayed at this move. As it will likely mean that young Jules Plisson will be blocked getting into the Stade team.

It must be infuriating for French fans that their best young players like Jean-Marcelin Buttin, Pierrick Gunther and Christopher Tolofua have their progress blocked by international has beens like Lee Byrne, Joe van Niekerk and Gary Botha.

From a neutrals perspective, I hope this doesn't go through as it will turn Stade who are quite an exciting side into another boring Top 14 side which there are already a number of in the league. A match where Steyn and Beauxis are the fly halves would be extremely dull just looking at those two names on the teamsheet.

LOL that s exactly why we'd want him out of SA. At least the French have 14 sides while we have 5... erm no 4 sides.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Lol @psychic and @Stormer...

Anyways, you guys can relax, Morne confirmed last night that he will be staying at the Bulls at least until the end of 2013.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'm so sorry, Hein.

 

[TRF_heineken]

I'm so sorry, Hein.

that's okay... Maybe the new Attack coach of the Bulls will get him into the running fly-half he once was...

 

[Draggs]

Holy ****, Matfield is actually the new attack coach. I just thought they were joking on Keo/SW.

 

[Conal]

Holy ****, Matfield is actually the new attack coach. I just thought they were joking on Keo/SW.

really? interesting choice
then again i remember him doing a few great chip and chases , he did have a good rugby brain

 

[TRF_heineken]

Holy ****, Matfield is actually the new attack coach. I just thought they were joking on Keo/SW.

Hahaha... well he did spend most of the time in the backline... Who knows, maybe he has some brilliant ideas?? He was after all one of the smartest rugby players I've ever had the privelage to watch

 

[TRF_heineken]

Just a follow up story about this:

Cape Town - Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn will be leaving the Bulls at the end of the 2013 Vodacom Super Rugby season.

Click to enter the Sport24 SuperBru Super Rugby challenge!

According to the Eyewitness News Sport website, Steyn's agent Johan van Greune said the Springbok and Bulls pivot's likely destination is French Top 14 club, Stade Francais.

Steyn's contract with the Bulls ends in October this year, but he will be looking for an early release - with the Bulls' blessing - after the Super Rugby season ends on August 3.

Van Greune confirmed that Steyn, 28, will however still be available for Springbok selection.

"Morne has spoken to Heyneke, they have discussed this. Obviously it is difficult to make commitments from Heyneke's side. That's one of the reasons he chose to go to France. It does open the door for him to play for the Springboks in the future."

Steyn has played in 106 Super Rugby matches for the Bulls, scoring 1 201 points in the process. Steyn has also scored 486 Test points in 42 matches for the Springboks.

Stade Francais are currently languishing in 10th spot in the Top 14 standings.

Steyn will join fellow South Africans Michael van Vuuren (hooker), Gerhard Mostert (lock) and Anton van Zyl (lock) on Stade Francais' books.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Morne-Steyn-to-leave-Bulls-20130115

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Who'll follow up Steyn as encumbent 10 at the Bulls? Will they look to lure Brummer back who has done well at the Griquas or promote either of Fouche or Pollard?

A bit off topic but I hope Gerhard Mostert comes back to SA soon. I think he went overseas a bit prematurely as he could have put himself firmly in Bok contention (not just the odd two games he had) for sure if he'd had another year over here IMO. The Cheetahs desperately need a good lock or two, Gerhard....

 

[TRF_heineken]

Who'll follow up Steyn as encumbent 10 at the Bulls? Will they look to lure Brummer back who has done well at the Griquas or promote either of Fouche or Pollard?

A bit off topic but I hope Gerhard Mostert comes back to SA soon. I think he went overseas a bit prematurely as he could have put himself firmly in Bok contention (not just the odd two games he had) for sure if he'd had another year over here IMO. The Cheetahs desperately need a good lock or two, Gerhard....

I think it will be Pollard. I can't see Fouche doing the step up. He's average at best. Maybe Derick Hougaard will make a return for a while, until Pollard is maybe mature enough.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Well Pollard certainly has the aptitude to make the step up. That much he has already shown. The question is whether he has the ability to make himself count at a higher level. I'd back to be able to do so. He's not an exciting fly half (when you look at guys like Cruden, Cooper and Goosen) but can certainly still take charge of a game and is a good decision maker IMO.

I think relying on D Hougaard would be taking a step backward for the Bulls who in all fairness have backed their (and others' LOL) young players with relative success (just look at Potgieter, Stander, Venter etc) over the last while.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Well Pollard certainly has the aptitude to make the step up. That much he has already shown. The question is whether he has the ability to make himself count at a higher level. I'd back to be able to do so. He's not an exciting fly half (when you look at guys like Cruden, Cooper and Goosen) but can certainly still take charge of a game and is a good decision maker IMO.

I think relying on D Hougaard would be taking a step backward for the Bulls who in all fairness have backed their (and others' LOL) young players with relative success (just look at Potgieter, Stander, Venter etc) over the last while.

Too true. I personally don't like the idea of Derick back in the 10 jersey, and is sitting in aticipation to see what's going to happen with the fly half spot. Maybe there's a Varsity Cup fly half this year that makes them sit up and take notice.

 

[Black_Magic]

http://superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=38010

But people in France who care about the national team will be dismayed at this move. As it will likely mean that young Jules Plisson will be blocked getting into the Stade team.

Exactly my thoughts. Plisson is one of favourite young players in Europe, and France needs quality fly halves.