Lucky Sithole
Why was Frans Steyn never allowed to take penalty kicks of under 50 metres at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town?
Because, or so the legend goes, it would have caused too much damage when the ball goes through the back of the stand.
Steyn kicked monster penalties from around the halfway mark in each of his last two test matches. The first against Wales, the second against Scotland that, as the commentator said, he could have been another 10 metres back and it would still have gone over.
The best part of all is that he is not on the field because he is a good kicker, he is there because he is an excellent rugby player.
But time is not on his side. At 34, he comments: “I realise when I come on, it could be the last time in the green and gold.”
And therein lies the problem for Springbok rugby.
Considering the fullback position as an example, the options are not endless. Frans Steyn, as he himself knows, is on the field because of circumstances.
The great Willie le Roux is playing the worst rugby of his life and it is unlikely that he will ever play a good game again. The injured Damian Willemse, who has the makings of an excellent fullback, is certainly not there yet. Thank heavens for Frans Steyn.
The first half against Scotland was the worst performance of the Springboks in a long time but it was the right match to test the options. One of the doubtful players (and there were a few of them) that came up trumps, was Jesse Kriel. Belying the number 14 on his back, he had a great game, doing all the things a centre is supposed to do.
The question that remains unanswered, is given the current realities, does a team like the Springboks have the options in terms of players, to keep playing rugby at the level they are playing at now?
A question that will never be answered, is how much damage would Frans Steyn have done to the stand at the Newlands Stadium if he was ever allowed to take a penalty from the 22 metre line?
Image source: @TheCitizen
