François Steyn

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Francois Steyn

| caption = Springbok Rugby Player
birthname = Francois Philippus Lodewyk Steyn
nickname = Frans, Phill
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1987|5|14
placeofbirth = Aliwal North, Eastern Cape, South Africa
height = height|m=1.91
weight = convert|100|kg
ru_position = fullback|capital=yes rugbycentre|capital=yes wing|capital=yes fly-half|capital=yes
ru_province = Natal Sharks
ru_provinceyears = 2006-
ru_provincecaps = 10
ru_provincepoints = (49)
ru_provinceupdate = 22 November, 2006
ru_nationalteam = South Africa
ru_nationalyears = 2007-
ru_nationalcaps = 20
ru_nationalpoints = (63)
ru_ntupdate = 2007-09-15
super14 = Sharks
super14years = 2007-
super14caps = 14
super14points = (41)
ru_currentclub = Natal Sharks
super14update = 2007-04-27
other = yes
family =
spouse = Single
children =
relatives =
occupation = Professional Rugby Union Player
school = Grey College
university =

Francois Steyn (born 14 May 1987) is a South African rugby union player, who plays for his national team; the Natal Sharks in the country's domestic competition, the Currie Cup; and the Sharks in the Southern Hemisphere Super 14 competition. He is seen as one of the biggest talents to have emerged recently in the game of rugby. He has an eye for the posts and a great kicking game, occasionally replacing Percy Montgomery for longer penalty kicks. He was also a member of the winning team of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

After playing only ten matches for the Sharks in the 2006 Currie Cup (at fly-half), Steyn was, at 19 years old, selected to represent South Africa in the Northern Hemisphere touring squad by national coach Jake White. He debuted at wing against Ireland, he scored a try on debut. In his next international match he was moved to fullback against England, scoring a long range drop-goal, from his own half. Steyn has shown to possess superb goal kicking qualities as well, but in the national team still has Percy Montgomery in front with goalkicking.

In his debut season of Super 14 rugby, Frans Steyn was selected on the right wing, however, was moved to fullback when Percy Montgomery was injured. He played as the last line of defence until Percy Montgomery returned for the game against the Blues in Round 11, and was moved to fly-half for this game. He was widely praised for one of the defining moments of the Sharks victory, a 58-metre drop goal which sailed through the uprights. Although inexperienced, he showed great skills in passing, kicking and playmaking at fly-half. He has scored 26 points in the current Super 14 season.Fact|date=February 2008 The only miss making Steyn look human was in the 2007 Super 14 Final, in which a missed Steyn penalty.He later missed a punt for touch to end the game which eventually allowed their rivals from Pretoria, the Bulls, to pip them for the title on a last-second Bryan Habana try.

He kicked two drop goals in the 2007 Tri-Nations opener against Australia at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, to win the game for the Springboks. One of these, a 42 metre effort from a fielded clearance kick next to the sideline, and another three minutes from time next to the posts about 30 m out.

In South Africa's first game in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, their star centre Jean de Villiers got injured. Steyn replaced him, playing only his second game at professional level at inside centre, but he made a break on first touch of the ball and his inclusion sparked the Springboks to a 37-0 second half demolition of Samoa.

On 24 September 2007 Steyn was cited to appear before a disciplinary hearing for allegedly biting Tongan winger Joseph Vaka during the Springboks v. Tonga 2007 Rugby World Cup game on 22 September ( [http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/round=100/match=10096/report.html Match report] ). Both players were sent to the sinbin in the 60th minute for an off-the-ball incident. [ [http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/bok-biting-charge/2007/09/25/1190486280967.html "South African Steyn cited for biting." "Rugby Heaven" website.] September 25, 2007 - 12:35PM.] He was subsequently cleared of the charge, due to insufficient evidence and Vaka conceding that the apparent "bite mark" could have been received during normal play.

Steyn was the starting inside centre for the Springboks in the IRB Rugby World Cup Final, he made a fantastic break that resulted in a penalty for the Boks and also converted one himself later on in the game. He is therefore the youngest player to win a World Cup.

He mantains a close relationship with his family especially with his brother Wimpie. Steyn said, 'I love having my family near, it keeps me calm.'

External links

*Springboks|id=35553|name=Francois Steyn
* [http://www.sarugby.com/news/Player/pid=725.html SARugby.com Profile]
* [http://www.sharksrugby.co.za/default.asp?cId=2298&des=content Sharks Profile]
* [http://www.sharksrugby.co.za/default.asp?id=196991&des=article Steyn Handed Fullback Jersey]

References