Johannesburg - Morne Steyn is under no illusions as to his stop-gap role ahead of the second Test against Ireland. But the Springbok flyhalf believes that he can contribute to turning around the fate of the team in the series.
On Monday, the 60-Test Steyn answered an SOS call from Bok coach Allister Coetzee to replace the injured Pat Lambie.
Though Steyn is set to start on the bench on Saturday at Ellis Park, the 31-year-old is confident that his experience will be vital.
There has been some dissatisfaction at Steyn’s recall over the talented Garth April, but Coetzee’s dire need for an improved kicking game as well as victory may have dictated his decision.
“I think on Saturday our kicking game was not in top standard where it usually is, and I think that is what we are trying to put in now ... a little bit more kicking. That is one of my strengths and hopefully I can bring it to the team,” said Steyn yesterday.
The Stade Francais-based pivot is wary not to tread on the toes of those flyhalves plying their trade in South Africa, and as surprised as he was by his recall, he still believes that Elton Jantjies, Lambie and April have a lot to offer the Boks.
Steyn must've assumed that his time in the green and gold was over following his one substitute appearance in last year’s World Cup.
But the man who struck the series-winning penalty against the British and Irish Lions in 2009, and still the leading Bok points-scorer, yesterday laughed about prolonging his international career beyond this series against the Irish.
“Rugby is a strange game. You think you are out of it, and now I’m back in it again and enjoying it with a lot of new faces, so it’s great to be back,” Steyn quipped.
“Handre Pollard is also injured so you never know what is going to happen. Every training session and every game I am going to give it a 100 percent, and maybe I can go for another two or three years, you never know.” – Cape Times