Cape Town - Frans Steyn's inclusion in the Sharks team for their Vodacom Super Rugby clash against the Stormers this Saturday should be alarming for Springbok fans.
While Steyn was present at the three-day Bok training camp in Durban earlier this week, he did not take part in the field sessions as he is suffering from chronic knee dysfunction.
SARU revealed in a press statement on Wednesday that the Sharks had requested that the load on Steyn's knee be limited during the Bok camp.
Coach Heyneke Meyer obliged by not forcing Steyn to take part in field sessions during the camp.
However, according to various media reports there is a strong possibility that Steyn will miss the Boks' four internationals next month.
So why risk Steyn by picking him for the Sharks in what is expected to be a highly physical and intense derby at Kings Park this weekend?
It is clear that he needs time on the sidelines having played almost every minute of every game for the Sharks this year.
Therefore, Sport24 feels his inclusion in the Sharks team for Saturday's game was NOT done with the best interests of the national team in mind.
Assuming Morné Steyn will be selected at flyhalf for the Boks, Frans Steyn was likely to be fielded at centre for the Springboks, and with Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie already ruled out with injuries, losing Steyn would force Meyer to pick an inexperienced midfield combination.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Should Frans Steyn be playing for the Sharks when he's likely to be ruled out of the Boks' Incoming Series Tests? Club before country? Send your thoughts to Sport24
While Steyn was present at the three-day Bok training camp in Durban earlier this week, he did not take part in the field sessions as he is suffering from chronic knee dysfunction.
SARU revealed in a press statement on Wednesday that the Sharks had requested that the load on Steyn's knee be limited during the Bok camp.
Coach Heyneke Meyer obliged by not forcing Steyn to take part in field sessions during the camp.
However, according to various media reports there is a strong possibility that Steyn will miss the Boks' four internationals next month.
So why risk Steyn by picking him for the Sharks in what is expected to be a highly physical and intense derby at Kings Park this weekend?
It is clear that he needs time on the sidelines having played almost every minute of every game for the Sharks this year.
Therefore, Sport24 feels his inclusion in the Sharks team for Saturday's game was NOT done with the best interests of the national team in mind.
Assuming Morné Steyn will be selected at flyhalf for the Boks, Frans Steyn was likely to be fielded at centre for the Springboks, and with Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie already ruled out with injuries, losing Steyn would force Meyer to pick an inexperienced midfield combination.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Should Frans Steyn be playing for the Sharks when he's likely to be ruled out of the Boks' Incoming Series Tests? Club before country? Send your thoughts to Sport24