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Unhappy relationship: Frans Steyn says PDV doesn't respect him
In a forthright interview with a French newspaper, Francois Steyn has said he is willing to put his Springbok career on hold to concentrate on club commitments.
Speaking to French daily Midi Olympique, the Springbok full-back made no secret of his uneasy relationship with national coach Peter de Villiers while reaffirming his commitment to current Top 14 leaders Racing-Métro.
The 2007 World Cup winner slammed De Villiers' "lack of respect" for him and his club.
"He was supposed to come to Paris on September 18 but he cancelled the meeting," explained Steyn.
"It's not the first time that he's done it. It's a lack of respect for Racing-Metro and for me."
Steyn insisted that he would "die for the Springboks" when he was recalled for the home leg of Tri-Nations, but his enthusiasm to play for the national side seems to have been dented since.
"I want to give everything for my club who respect me and take me as I am," he told Midi Olympique.
"When John Smit [Clermont] or Victor Matfield [Toulon] came to France, everything was clear between the South African Rugby Football Union, them and their clubs," said Steyn.
"I don't understand why the federation doesn't act in the same way with Racing. It has said and promised many things but nothing has been upheld.
"I don't see why I would respect people who don't respect me, who don't respect my club.
"I've got this umpteenth meeting cancelled as proof.
"I don't expect anything from the Springboks and I've moved on to other things" he added, suggesting that his participation in next year's World Cup was far from a sure thing.
"It is too soon to say that I will not be there," he said of the World Cup.
"But I'll definitely do what Racing want. If my bosses don't want me to go, I won't."
"You play the World Cup to face the best players in the world. Here in the Top 14, I play against [Yannick] Jauzion... and I will also play the Heineken Cup and face [Brian] O'Driscoll, so it's about the same."
Comments
Rugbybrain says...
Good Riddance!!!!!!! Steyn is overrated and overweight
Posted 16:56 27th September 2010
5Lock4ward says...
Steyn does deserve respect based on the RWC '07. Not too many men just step in and replace Jean De Villiers. A lot of you are talking about the race quota and poor management. Does this mean you agree in principle with Luke Watson. I know he insulted the jersey but was he right on any level? There are a few South Africans in Europe who could and should get time for the Boks on the Autumn Tours while the old guard rests up for next year. Watson, Steyn, Van Niekerk, Pienaar; all should get some time if PDV wants to evaluate all the depth at his disposal for the RWC. Steyn is a young man with a bright future, now while South Africa is over-flowing with talent at every position I don't think anyone can afford to throw away a player like Steyn.
Posted 21:47 25th September 2010
robo says...
joediedericks If you were getting messed around and unhappy at the office, how well and enthusiastically would you perform? Consider that when viewing Steyn's situation and that of the Boks generally. Spirit will die in the team - if it hasn't already - should matters continue in the shambolic manner they now are. The situation stinks, leadership at coach and SARU level worse then pathetic.
Posted 20:23 25th September 2010
joediedericks says...
Steyn should stop whining about respect. Irrelevant of P Divvies style of coaching, playing for the Bokke is an honor.
The only reason he was drafted is because of his contract. Now we have to see players like Geo Applon sit on on the side while Steyn is playing a weak game.
Does he demand respect because he was in the World Cup team? If he still played at the same level then he could talk about respect. He isn't playing at that level of his game anymore.
Players should stop hiding behind their contracts. We have more than 5 guys to replace Steyn any giving game.
Steyn should stop whining and get his form back on track
Posted 17:13 25th September 2010
soutie1 says...
I feel very sorry for Frans Steyn, Not only is he be bullied by the SARU , but the players dont seem to like him as much as they use to , I remeber watch the tri nations game where Victor Matfield was playing his 100th cap and the end of the games all the players came up to him and shook his hand and hugs all round like they do and when he came to Mr Steyn turn Mr Matfield face dropped and almost completly blanked the poor man. There is defo something seriously wrong with South African rugby at the monent, And its sad to see.
Im not the kind of man that like's to blame people but I cant seem to think there is a lack of leadership from the head coach ( PDV ), our team seems to be falling apart. We use to have such a happy family when Jake White was running the show, Now all we hear is players not getting alone and racism this and that. One word explains it all RIDICULOUS!
Posted 14:51 25th September 2010
robo says...
Bokswillprevail - If Steyn has anything like my temperament, he'll find it impossible to conceal his feeling towards Peter de Villiers and the entire disgusting scene in South African rugby, one created by SARU president's pathetically inadequate leadership as he bows to ANC racist instincts. No player or team can give of their best when watching, and feeling, the huge controversy that now swirls around them over a dismally poor Bok coach and the racist quota system that promises to get worse should Hoskins' new 'transformation' - racial discrimination quota - programme come to fruition. Read his comments and it's evident that an intelluctual and moral vaccuum exists. Who were the morons who elected such mediocrity? The diaspora really has caused a brain drain!
Posted 12:47 25th September 2010
justice_4_all says...
@rugbylover, What is it with the fake German accent. You make little enough sense in English such as you are able to use it. Why confuse things even further?
Posted 22:41 24th September 2010
Bokswillprevail says...
Steyn, when you read this, take note. You are a utility back, a jack of all trades and a master (in the Andre Joubert, Wilkinson (it pains me to say), Latham, Danie Gerber, Tim Horan, etc, class), of none. There is no point in being the martyr for the just cause of discrediting the crazy coach. As long as there are other manne (Ruan Piennar for example) who can do the job locally, you have no leverage. If you want to play in the next RWC, swallow your pride and tolerate the crazy coach with the hamster hanging from his nostrils. We may need you at the last minute.
Posted 20:53 24th September 2010
dclp says...
The state of SA Rugby is disgusting. I am truly ashamed to be a Springbok supporter at the moment as "the powers that be" make us all look like idiots every chance they get!!
Posted 18:22 24th September 2010
armchaircritic says...
I am not a great admirer of Mr de Villiers but I have to say that was right about Frans Steyn, whose form has declined precipitously if his two performances in the Tri-Nations were anything to go by.
Frans Steyn, it appears, would rather play second-rate French club rugby than represent his country. So be it, but he should not expect to regain his place in the Springbok squad under the current or future administrration.
Move on, South Africa.
Posted 17:33 24th September 2010
robo says...
Congratulations to Francois Steyn. He knows what is at stake in his forthrightness, but obviously now has such contempt for Peter de Villiers that he will either put on hold or forfeit his Springbok connections. Almost daily the P Divvy scene gets worse and yet the half-baked SARU president Oregan Hoskins hangs on to De Villiers like manure does to a blanket. For what? His coaching competence - or the colour of his skin and ANC government approval? No prize for working this one out.
Posted 13:58 24th September 2010
scotch13 says...
not the best time for FS to look like a whiney pigtailed schoolgirl... bad as PDV is, thats not how you save face on the back of a couple of nothing performances for the Boks, the republic has no shortage of back three players boyo... not just the current squad members; Vun Dun Heever should be looked at (wing and fullback) as well as Basson, Killian.. SA does have options, dont know why no one is looking at them..
Posted 13:22 24th September 2010
tavish says...
martinmarais78, too kind. He is not even good enough for a girls team, even if they are from Ethiopia.
Posted 13:03 24th September 2010
scot_rsa says...
Come on BoDiddly, we all know what you're up to. Frankly you give the game away when you call PDV shrewd. We can all accept debate but that's a step too far into fantasy my friend.
Posted 13:00 24th September 2010
bluelion says...
@ martinmarais78: Harsh words. Surely any Ethiopian girl club's B team could do better?
Posted 12:40 24th September 2010
Bigspottedcat says...
I am sick of PDV and put the blame on Hoskins for this whole masquerade. I am embarrased and very angry....
Posted 12:13 24th September 2010
rugbylover says...
"Keep PDV forever".................that's what the rest of the world must think (hope). Smash-em bash-em vill vin!
Posted 12:08 24th September 2010
BoDiddly says...
Just who does this kid think he is? Yes, he's got a a big boot and kicks long goals. Some of which actually go between the posts but most don't, big deal? Other than that, he's promised much in glimpses but actually, if you take the time to look over it, he's delivered very very little. Done nothing other than kick one or two long shots. Over-hyped and way over-rated. Boks are better off without him. PDV, shrewd coach that he is, knows this which is why he can't be bothered with him.
Posted 12:07 24th September 2010
martinmarais78 says...
Good call Francois! Now for the rest of the Boks to follow in your footsteps until we can get rid of PDV for good! PDV if you are reading this: PLEASE do the honourable thing and pack your bags for some Ethiopian girl club's B team.
Posted 08:53 24th September 2010
scot_rsa says...
There's a relationship that will never be patched up, whoever is at fault. Really bad news is that Steyn is a key man for the EOYT, he's fresh and covers 10, 12 & 15 - now who will back up Pienaar at 10? Well done PDV, your broken promises mean your coaching skills are going to be fully tested in November.
Posted 08:36 24th September 2010