Rugby

Steyn replacement found?

2009-07-01 07:37

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Frans Steyn (Gallo)

Hendrik Cronjé

Bloemfontein – There are unconfirmed reports that the Sharks have managed to land a big fish to replace Frans Steyn.

According to ercrugby.com and rugbyrama.com, Argentina's point-scoring machine, Juan Martin Hernandez, has verbally agreed to represent the Sharks in next year's Super14 series.

The versatile Hernandez is seen as a logical substitute for Steyn who will further his career after the Currie Cup at the French club team, Racing Metro.

Due to his versatility, Hernandez, like Steyn, can be played as effectively at fullback, centre or flyhalf.

The 26-year-old Hernandez, who is nicknamed El Mago, spent the past six seasons with Stade Francais. During this time, Stade Francais in 2004 and 2006 won the Top14 series and made it to the Heineken Trophy Championship final in 2005.

Hernandez's was also nominated for the International Rugby Board’s player of the year in 2007. South African winger Byran Habana, however, won that award after staging a prominent display at the Rugby World Cup in France.

But there still has been no confirmation from the Sharks camp. Sport24 couldn't reach Sharks' commercial manager Rudolf Straeuli for comment on Tuesday. And the Sharks assistant coach Grant Bashford said Hernandez joining the Sharks was "news" to him.

Meanwhile, the French sport newspaper L'Equipe has meanwhile reported that Bok wing, Bryan Habana, is considering at least three offers from French club teams - Stade Toulousain, Stade Francais and Bayonne.

Habana has to finally decide whether he will remain a Blue Bull or play for a French team. "Due to the climate" Habana is not considering offers from England or Wales.

Your Comments

Megabull7/28/2009 9:18 AM: If the sharks union had any brains they would keep Frans at fullback. He is really becoming the best in the world in the no 15 spot. That from a BULLS fan. Stop moving him around and let him develop.

Hein Pretoria7/2/2009 7:46 AM: I still feel that any team contracting OVERSEAS’ players should, as a quota requirement, have an additional 2 DOMESTIC disadvantaged players on the field during matches. We’ve got enough talent in SA – develop them, the overseas players are just depriving local people from earning an income.

martin7/1/2009 1:34 PM: With all the incessant Lions whingeing, we have to try and give them one last big whack. Have you seen the clip where Sheridan punches Bekker in the balls? Is eye-gouging worse than ball-punching ?!! If Bakkies Botha is suspended, then no forwards should be allowed to play rugby anymore.. because cleaning out is all that loose play consists of nowdays. ‘Helium’ de Villiers just follows on a long line of arrogant Bok coaches; they’ll never learn. Its like arrogance has to be on your CV to get the Bok job – defending Schalk has to be the dumbest thing I’ve seen. To use De Villiers’ ballet comparison, its like flashing a ‘brown-eye’ during a serious rendition of Swan Lake. The man has no idea of what is appropriate for Bok brand PR.

Leon7/1/2009 1:31 PM: Everyone has forgotten that Jaque Fourie used to be the Golden Lions' fullback for quite some time and a better one than any of the current fullbacks. He was then moved to wing and now centre. Immagine him attacking from fullback or joining the bacline as a 3rd centre or extra wing?

Paul7/1/2009 12:36 PM: Where`s the Sharks loyalty to PDV ? What about Earl Rose ? Is he not knocking on the door for Springbok honors

Paul7/1/2009 12:36 PM: Where`s the Sharks loyalty to PDV ? What about Earl Rose ? Is he not knocking on the door for Springbok honors

Gerald7/1/2009 11:48 AM: @ Twisted - If you read my post carefully, I conceded that it was a professional sport and that money plays a huge role. I also know that pro players will move around. Just as SA players play in the UK, France, Italy, etc so we will get pro players playing here. The point I was trying to make is that we have talent here who could loose out on valuable experience if we bring in pro's to play in the franchises.

hans7/1/2009 11:24 AM: Takhaar Steyn the most over-rated player of all times - he's not that match winner people thinks he is and he will follow in the steps of Gaffie and Brent and Casper and Skote Petoors and so on and so on and so on.

Anonymous User7/1/2009 11:22 AM: Can the SA provincial teams please stop stealing oppertunity from our young and upcoming stars. Sign an SA boy and train him to become the best. It might take 2 seasons to get him up to scratch but atleast then you know he might last another 6. This guy is already 26 yr old and although most rugby players peak at this age it is an indication that his carreer might be over in the next 2-3 yrs. Please Find an SA Boy and save our local teams.

Barry 7/1/2009 11:05 AM: I dontthink that overseas players add to teh vibe of Sharks, i say use the guys waiting and training there now , i knwo of at least two guys there under contrcat that could be tired out and all they want is a chance

Ronald Barry Bryer7/1/2009 10:55 AM: The Sharks might be better off "Steynless" who would appear to be too individualistic in a game that requires enormous team involvement of the sort that Hernandez can offer.

Frans Steyn Fan7/1/2009 10:04 AM: Frans Steyn is a match winner with immense talent. Unfortunately he is still too imature and erratic. Watch him in 5 years time. One of the best South Africa has to offer.

Anonymous User7/1/2009 9:58 AM: I can not agree with you at all Frans Steyn is not a fly half or centre and when compared to Jantjies at full back he don't fit the bill at fullback either. On Saturday he missed tackeld one try and could not bring down the lions player on the first try so they scored. he keeps trying to drop the ball from far to make glory it works1 in 20 so you deside if we are going to miss him.

Anonymous User7/1/2009 9:56 AM: I have conficting thoughts on oversees players playing for our domestic teams. On the one hand, you deny local talent to be groomed. On the other, it can be a good learning curve for local players to play with someone like Hernandez. Many youngsters can learn from him. So, there is pros and cons for both strategies. I don't care about sponsers. If one withdraws, another will take its place. Don't say that sponsers are only looking for a successfull side, then why does the Lions and Cheetahs have sponsers. Go Bokke!!!

Twisted7/1/2009 9:21 AM: Gerald- Although you make a point that we "should" drive home grwon talent, it is a professional sport. Sponsors line up to sponsor teams that are successful and have a commercial value and return for them. We will always have pro players moving around. Look at Aus at the moment trying to poach the NZ u21 fly half- He hasnt played svens or seniors for NZ so if he hoes to Aus he will be able to play for AUS. So now that is where something is wrong. I believe once you have representd your country wether u19 u21 or u23 you should not be eligable for another country!

joe7/1/2009 9:00 AM: what is this new stupid idea of Souh African teams to play play foreign players. What about our own players needing to step up. Now one of our players must watch someone from oversees playing in his position. It is a stupid unfair approach and should be banned by SA Rugby. We need to groom our own players, full stop, no matter what the rest of the world do.

joe7/1/2009 8:59 AM: what is this new stupid idea of Souh African teams to play play foreign players. What about our own players needing to step up. Now one of our players must watch someone from oversees playing in his position. It is a stupid unfair approach and should be banned by SA Rugby. We need to groom our own players, full stop, no matter what the rest of the world do.

Anonymous User7/1/2009 8:59 AM: f** hulle op frans!!!! to all idiots out there, frans IS NOT a flyhalf. why compare him with flyhalfs all the time?world cup centre, international fullback. ffs.

Gert7/1/2009 8:59 AM: Steyn can go, I dont rate him as the brilliant player people think he is. He is good at time, that is where it ends. He is one of the players that cost the Sharks in the Super 14. Bring on the new boy. Durban has allways loved the French imports so bring it on.

Gerald7/1/2009 8:50 AM: I suppose there are pro's and con's to having a high quality player from overseas in the team. It being a professional sport, its all about winning and money, and players of this calibre can go a long way to ensuring the success of a team. However, the biggest problem that I have with foreign players, is that we should be bringing youngsters up through the ranks who could only benefit hugely by gaining valuable experience in tough competitions like the S14. We can't expect our rugby to grow if we fill crucial positions with overseas players.

Anonymous User7/1/2009 8:21 AM: Let me tell you once and for all: "This hernandez is a fly half. You will now see just how skillfull a flyhalf should be.(although he's a bit of a softy) Frans steyn is 10% of the no10 that hernandez is. GOODBYE.

Theo7/1/2009 7:51 AM: I understand the requirements of the professional game. However, in a country like South Africa with no shortage of rugby players, why should another overseas player be imported? Do the talent scouts not have the desire or vision to find our own players? Why don't the French keep this guy and we just keep Steyn here?

Sluggy7/1/2009 7:49 AM: Bye bye Steyn!!!

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