Springboks recall Steyn to face Australia
Source: Agencies |
August 25, 2010, Wednesday
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SOUTH Africa was able to pick Francois Steyn for its Tri-Nations test against Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday after reaching an agreement with French club Racing Metro.
De Villiers picked Steyn in his training squad two weeks ago in the buildup to the game against New Zealand, only for his club Racing to say the player could not travel because he was injured.
That was greeted with public annoyance by De Villiers and the South African Rugby Union.
Yesterday, De Villiers said the problem had now been sorted out, and he would even travel to Europe to thank Racing coach Pierre Berbizier for his help.
"I've never met Pierre and I've never sat down with him," De Villiers said. "As coaches I think we will strike a different chord if we look each other in the face and talk about it. I'm just going to go and say thank you and pave the way forward and give him a (South Africa) schedule for next year."
Steyn's inclusion was one of two changes made by De Villiers following a dramatic last-minute loss to New Zealand over the weekend, which clinched the Tri-Nations title for the All Blacks.
The 23-year-old full back was named in place of Gio Aplon. Center Jaque Fourie also returned to the team, following a four-week suspension, at the expense of Juan de Jongh.
South Africa hopes the addition of 2007 World Cup winners Steyn and Fourie, and the emotion of a 100th cap for lock Victor Matfield at his home ground, can help halt a four-game losing streak in the Tri-Nations.
South Africa conceded two tries in the final two minutes to lose 29-22 to New Zealand on Saturday - in captain John Smit's 100th test.
"Sunday was a long day," Smit said. "The hurt is always a terrible factor but the only way it could have been worse was if we didn't have a game afterwards and have to remember that as the last incident.
"We've got two games against the Aussies and it's up to us to make this one special - especially for a guy like Victor."
Australia will name its team for the Pretoria game tomorrow.
De Villiers picked Steyn in his training squad two weeks ago in the buildup to the game against New Zealand, only for his club Racing to say the player could not travel because he was injured.
That was greeted with public annoyance by De Villiers and the South African Rugby Union.
Yesterday, De Villiers said the problem had now been sorted out, and he would even travel to Europe to thank Racing coach Pierre Berbizier for his help.
"I've never met Pierre and I've never sat down with him," De Villiers said. "As coaches I think we will strike a different chord if we look each other in the face and talk about it. I'm just going to go and say thank you and pave the way forward and give him a (South Africa) schedule for next year."
Steyn's inclusion was one of two changes made by De Villiers following a dramatic last-minute loss to New Zealand over the weekend, which clinched the Tri-Nations title for the All Blacks.
The 23-year-old full back was named in place of Gio Aplon. Center Jaque Fourie also returned to the team, following a four-week suspension, at the expense of Juan de Jongh.
South Africa hopes the addition of 2007 World Cup winners Steyn and Fourie, and the emotion of a 100th cap for lock Victor Matfield at his home ground, can help halt a four-game losing streak in the Tri-Nations.
South Africa conceded two tries in the final two minutes to lose 29-22 to New Zealand on Saturday - in captain John Smit's 100th test.
"Sunday was a long day," Smit said. "The hurt is always a terrible factor but the only way it could have been worse was if we didn't have a game afterwards and have to remember that as the last incident.
"We've got two games against the Aussies and it's up to us to make this one special - especially for a guy like Victor."
Australia will name its team for the Pretoria game tomorrow.
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