Mike Greenaway
THE game of rugby was put into perspective for the Springbok players on Monday, when a devastated Francois Steyn received the news that his brother had died in tragic circumstances.
According to reports, Wimpie Steyn committed suicide on the family farm near Bethlehem yesterday morning. His elder brother was immediately released from the Bok camp in Durban.
Springbok team manager Ian Schwartz said Steyn was told of his brother’s death after the Boks had trained Monday morning.
“We will not take any decisions on his immediate involvement with the squad – his personal situation is now the most important thing and we will support him and his family wherever we can in this very difficult time,” Schwartz said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Frans and his entire family in this time of mourning.”
The 27-year-old Steyn has only recently been back in the Bok fold after last playing a Test for his country in September 2012 and is recovering from a pectoral muscle injury.