By Lucky Maree
If the Bulls asked him to stay for one more season, Morné Steyn told the media on Thursday, he would definitely say, yes.
“My body still feels good but a man has to stand aside for the new generation,” he said.
He said it was great that he would end his career at Loftus Versfeld.
“It’s bittersweet, but I’m looking forward to life after rugby,” he said.
If you, like me, always felt that Morné Steyn should not be the Springbok flyhalf because his game was so one-dimensional, you might, as he comes to his last day at Loftus, want to revise that opinion.
And it is not simply a question of deciding that the lovers of rugby should simply change their opinions, it is worthwhile looking back on his career and visibly see how he worked at his game.
The guy who came into the Blue Bulls team in 2003 was immediately cursed with the label of being a kicking flyhalf – and that was mostly true. His almost unwavering ability to kick the winning goals soon made him a hero to some and a villain to others.
For years (and it has been a long career) the tag persisted.
Tomorrow when he runs out at Loftus for the last time, he is no longer the single-dimensional player who only kicked. Although never a natural flyhalf in the Phil Bennett, Dan Carter or Jonny Wilkinson mould, he acquired, step by step, all the skills that a good flyhalf has to have.
And most of all, whether playing in the light blue jersey, the green and gold or for Stade Français, his unwavering commitment and loyalty was never in doubt.
If, like me, you are sad to see him go, watch tomorrow’s match against the Griffons – but don’t expect any dramatic hijinks. Steyn was never a showman. He was always the journeyman who played as a member of a team – and tomorrow will be no different.
Expect him to come onto the field, as he always did, with a slight smile on his face, and expect him, as he always did, to come off the field with the same slight smile on his face.
Cheers, Morné, it’s been good!
Pictured above: Morné Steyn bows out at Loftus on Saturday
Image source: Twitter
