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Cape Town - Frans Steyn is back in the Springbok squad. The young fullback, who last featured in the Test against Wales in early June, rejoined the squad from Paris on Sunday.
GALLERY: Springboks v All Blacks
VIDEO: Referee Nigel Owens sent sprawling
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Steyn took part in the squad’s first practice session on Monday in advance of the Vodacom Tri-Nations clash with Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said he was glad to have Steyn back in the squad. De Villiers added that the perceived “saga” around the player was "all a matter of miscommunication".
Steyn was called up to a Springbok training camp two weeks ago but was not released by his club Racing Metro after being injured in a warm-up game. On-going liaison between SARU and Racing Metro as well as the French Rugby Federation has now enabled Steyn to be released for International duty. Steyn turned out for his club last Friday and showed no effects of injury during the Pretoria session on Monday morning.
De Villiers would not speculate on what Steyn’s role might be in the match against the Wallabies.
Steyn slotted in well with his team-mates at the Monday session and looked in good shape. He struck the ball well during the kicking session too.
“It’s great to be back in the squad,” he said.
“It is great to have Frans here and he is a great addition to our squad but we have a player in the position who did not do badly last weekend. We will sit and look at what will be best for the team this weekend and make it known when we confirm our team on Tuesday”.
Meanwhile de Villiers has made it clear that he wants to take action to avoid problems in future with the release of overseas-based players.
“After the Tri-Nations myself and Andy (Marinos) will travel to Europe to sit down with Racing Metro and Frans and discuss the way forward. We also plan to meet with Butch James’ club (Bath) and BJ Botha’s club (Ulster) to make sure that all parties are on the same page when it comes to the release of players for international duty,” de Villiers said.
“We have to get our ducks in a row to avoid causing disruptions to both the team and the players”.
GALLERY: Springboks v All Blacks
VIDEO: Referee Nigel Owens sent sprawling
VIDEO: Ma'a Nonu loses a boot
Steyn took part in the squad’s first practice session on Monday in advance of the Vodacom Tri-Nations clash with Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said he was glad to have Steyn back in the squad. De Villiers added that the perceived “saga” around the player was "all a matter of miscommunication".
Steyn was called up to a Springbok training camp two weeks ago but was not released by his club Racing Metro after being injured in a warm-up game. On-going liaison between SARU and Racing Metro as well as the French Rugby Federation has now enabled Steyn to be released for International duty. Steyn turned out for his club last Friday and showed no effects of injury during the Pretoria session on Monday morning.
De Villiers would not speculate on what Steyn’s role might be in the match against the Wallabies.
Steyn slotted in well with his team-mates at the Monday session and looked in good shape. He struck the ball well during the kicking session too.
“It’s great to be back in the squad,” he said.
“It is great to have Frans here and he is a great addition to our squad but we have a player in the position who did not do badly last weekend. We will sit and look at what will be best for the team this weekend and make it known when we confirm our team on Tuesday”.
Meanwhile de Villiers has made it clear that he wants to take action to avoid problems in future with the release of overseas-based players.
“After the Tri-Nations myself and Andy (Marinos) will travel to Europe to sit down with Racing Metro and Frans and discuss the way forward. We also plan to meet with Butch James’ club (Bath) and BJ Botha’s club (Ulster) to make sure that all parties are on the same page when it comes to the release of players for international duty,” de Villiers said.
“We have to get our ducks in a row to avoid causing disruptions to both the team and the players”.
