Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Springbok Frans Steyn was reprimanded for unsportsmanlike behaviour during a European Champions Cup match at the weekend.
Steyn, who plays for French club Montpellier, attempted to charge down a conversion in his side’s clash against Northampton in England.
Northampton’s home ground, Franklin Gardens, is a venue that normally goes into complete silence when a goal kick is taken.
But just as Northampton's Stephen Myler was about to strike a conversion from the touchline, a loud shout of "miss" could be heard.
It turned out that the shout came from a charging Steyn, and not a rude fan.
Myler’s conversion attempt missed, but Welsh referee Nigel Owens admonished Steyn and ordered the kick to be retaken.
“I'm sure you are quite aware that is not acceptable and not in the spirit of the game. You do not shout when you charge down," Owens told Steyn in a stern tone.
Myler converted his second attempt and it proved vital as the English club beat the Jake White-coached Montpellier 16-14.
Steyn’s behaviour comes after he was lauded at the weekend by former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, who said the versatile back should be recalled to the Bok set-up.
“I would immediately go fetch Frans Steyn in France,” De Villiers told Afrikaans newspaper Rapport.
“He is Springbok rugby’s Sonny Bill Williams. Bring him back and make sure that he’s at his best. Frans offers you what a Juan Smith, Fourie du Preez and Schalk Burger gave the Boks when they were at their best. They challenged you as coach. Due to their unbelievable talent and knowledge, it’s tough to teach them something about the game.”
Steyn played the last of his 53 Tests in 2012.
* The incident involving Steyn can be seen at 04:15 in the video below
