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Bloemfontein – Springbok coach Peter de Villiers and fullback Frans Steyn are set to hold an emergency meeting in Johannesburg on Friday in a bid to save their strained relationship.
VIDEO: Francois Steyn lands monster drop goal
Steyn sent an SMS to the coach earlier this week to withdraw from the Bok side that will play Wales in Cardiff on June 5, but work is being done behind the scenes to resolve their differences.
Sport24’s information is that there have been problems between coach and player for some time.
It appears as if there is little communication between the two and that is probably the biggest reason for Steyn’s decision to withdraw from the Bok side that is flying out to London on Sunday.
Steyn apparently took the decision in the interests of his team-mates as he does not want to disadvantage them.
He recently tried to contact De Villiers, but a high-ranking South African Rugby Union (SARU) official apparently refused to give him the Bok coach’s new cellphone number.
SARU alleged that it’s impossible to contact Steyn in Paris where he plays for French club Racing Metro.
Steyn, who is currently visiting a dairy farm near Bethlehem in the Free State, has a French and South African cell number, which makes it difficult for SARU.
If the differences between the parties are not addressed at Saturday’s meeting, the Bok coach may have to pick a different fullback for the Test against Wales.
Zane Kirchner (Bulls) and Joe Pietersen (Stormers) will be strong contenders, while it’s a known fact that Cheetahs fullback Hennie Daniller was asked to arrange a visa.
The 23-year-old Steyn recently struck a drop goal of over 60 metres for Racing Metro against Clermont.
Sport24 understands that a number of stakeholders, including selection convenor Peter Jooste and Steyn’s agent, Gerrie Swart, will attend the meeting in Johannesburg.
Bloemfontein – Springbok coach Peter de Villiers and fullback Frans Steyn are set to hold an emergency meeting in Johannesburg on Friday in a bid to save their strained relationship.
VIDEO: Francois Steyn lands monster drop goal
Steyn sent an SMS to the coach earlier this week to withdraw from the Bok side that will play Wales in Cardiff on June 5, but work is being done behind the scenes to resolve their differences.
Sport24’s information is that there have been problems between coach and player for some time.
It appears as if there is little communication between the two and that is probably the biggest reason for Steyn’s decision to withdraw from the Bok side that is flying out to London on Sunday.
Steyn apparently took the decision in the interests of his team-mates as he does not want to disadvantage them.
He recently tried to contact De Villiers, but a high-ranking South African Rugby Union (SARU) official apparently refused to give him the Bok coach’s new cellphone number.
SARU alleged that it’s impossible to contact Steyn in Paris where he plays for French club Racing Metro.
Steyn, who is currently visiting a dairy farm near Bethlehem in the Free State, has a French and South African cell number, which makes it difficult for SARU.
If the differences between the parties are not addressed at Saturday’s meeting, the Bok coach may have to pick a different fullback for the Test against Wales.
Zane Kirchner (Bulls) and Joe Pietersen (Stormers) will be strong contenders, while it’s a known fact that Cheetahs fullback Hennie Daniller was asked to arrange a visa.
The 23-year-old Steyn recently struck a drop goal of over 60 metres for Racing Metro against Clermont.
Sport24 understands that a number of stakeholders, including selection convenor Peter Jooste and Steyn’s agent, Gerrie Swart, will attend the meeting in Johannesburg.
