Bulls confirm Steyn rugby move to France
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The Bulls confirmed on Monday that star Super Rugby five-eighth Morne Steyn will join French club Stade Francais at the end of October on a three-year contract.
His agent told AFP in January that the former Springbok playmaker would be moving to Paris and a Bulls statement said Steyn will head to the French capital after playing in this season’s Super Rugby and Currie Cup competitions.
“The opportunity to join Stade comes at the right time in my career. I have always wanted to play some rugby abroad and experience a different lifestyle,” said Steyn.
“I have invested so much of my life with the Bulls so it was a very tough decision to make. I owe everything I achieved in rugby to them but the chance to join Stade comes at the right time in my career.”
Bulls head coach Frans Ludeke said: “Morne will be missed as he is a world-class player but I know that he will be giving 110 per cent till the end of his contract”.
Among the leading goalkickers in the world for several seasons, 29-year-old Steyn suffered a serious slump last year and lost his place in the Springboks team to Johan Goosen.
But he has shown a return to form in early Super Rugby action, scoring 21 points against the Stormers in the opening round and 20 on Saturday against the Western Force to be joint leading points-scorer in the competition.
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- Bulls, Morne Steyne, Rugby Union, Stade Francais, Super Rugby
March 5th 2013 @ 3:53am
Hightackle said | March 5th 2013 @ 3:53am | Report comment
Its a slow bleed that will slowly but surely lead to most of SANZARs best playing outside SANZAR countries.
March 5th 2013 @ 3:59am
Ben.S said | March 5th 2013 @ 3:59am | Report comment
?
March 5th 2013 @ 10:24am
Simon_Sez said | March 5th 2013 @ 10:24am | Report comment
The ARU has the opportunity to manage this problem by offering a solution rather than burying its head in the sand. The most experienced Wallaby players will mostly want to play overseas at some time. I have said before there should be a rule for those players who have played 50, 60 or 70 tests (or whatever) for Australia, which would take 7 to 10 years, automatically have earned the right to play anywhere in the world and still be available for Wallaby selection. Currently, and I am guessing, there is about 3 Wallabies (AAC, Drew Mitchel and Stephen Moore) out of 5 Super 15 teams who would qualify. This would stop the “slow bleed” and make the problem manageable. The advantage of having these 3 players playing overseas are: keep that player still available for the Wallabies; it would free up spaces for the young stars coming through, for example, Michael Hopper, Liam Gill Vs George Smith. The overseas based Wallaby would have the opportunity to play in a different environment, one of the major advantages of Union over League; the player would make more money and it would save the ARU in big top up fees. There would also be more quality players competing for a single spot in the Wallabies. The advantages well outweigh the disadvantage of not having those small amount of players particpating in the Super 15.
March 5th 2013 @ 3:06pm
The Battered Slav said | March 5th 2013 @ 3:06pm | Report comment
I’d say HT that it’s only going to affect all of SANZAR if the Wallabies and ABs start selecting overseas players.
At present, it only seems to be affecting the Bokke.
March 6th 2013 @ 8:21am
The Bush said | March 6th 2013 @ 8:21am | Report comment
Yeah, cause players in their late 20s, early 30s that have been dropped from the National Side and have already “done it all” in the Southern Hemisphere haven’t been heading north for over a decade…
March 5th 2013 @ 4:01am
biltongbek said | March 5th 2013 @ 4:01am | Report comment
I just wonder when the overseas market will be saturated with SH players, the bleed surely must stop at some point?
But having said that, the Bulls need to change something, it might as well start with a new Flyhalf.
March 5th 2013 @ 5:26am
Ben.S said | March 5th 2013 @ 5:26am | Report comment
The Aviva Premiership certainly isn’t anywhere close to being oversaturated. Foreign numbers have incrementally decreased since 2003 (to oversimplify). It’s largely a French issue.
March 5th 2013 @ 3:11pm
atlas said | March 5th 2013 @ 3:11pm | Report comment
As Cardiff Blues sign another New Zealander this week, Wellington-born and plays for Auckland in ITM, Blues in Super Rugby and is a Samoan international as well – Filo Paulo aged 26.
And one for France last week with Blues and 2010 AB Rene Ranger to Montpellier.
I watch French Top 14 to keep up with all the old NZ players, retro-rugby!
The 2012 NZ Rugby Almanac has a list of almost 400 NZ -born players registered with overseas clubs, and 36 pro coaches as well – quite an export!.
Someone, somewhere must keep similar records for Australian and South African players?
“Not all are elite players…some would barely have made it into the pro ranks in New Zealand and are using their rugby ability to pay the bills while they enjoy some time overseas. Others are well past their peak, some are All Blacks no longer required by the national team, and there are plenty who realised they were never going to be All Blacks and opted to take the bigger money overseas, and you can’t blame them.”
March 5th 2013 @ 4:38am
Hightackle said | March 5th 2013 @ 4:38am | Report comment
Kaino, Giteau, Botha, Louw, Steenkamp, Evans, Donald, Steyn, Sivi, Thompson, G.Smith, Hayman, Mumm, Btits, Botha, Cowan, Burgess, Pienaar, Fourie, Masoe, Afoa, C.Johnson, Smit, McAlister etc.
Biltong Football has no probs housing the best Sth America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Aust has in the European clubs and imo the same will eventually happen to rugby. It will take a while but ALL of Args best, Samoas best, Tongas best, Fijis best already play in Europe.
March 5th 2013 @ 5:33am
Johnno said | March 5th 2013 @ 5:33am | Report comment
It makes you think STH Africa should go at the currie cup alone, try and create a 12 team comp, make more revenue from fans at neutral games, as the Aust/NZ TV marjet doesn’t offer much in revenue, as the timezones are so bad. Then more money would keep more boks in NZ.
March 5th 2013 @ 7:57am
mania said | March 5th 2013 @ 7:57am | Report comment
not a hell of a lot of boks play in NZ johnno
March 5th 2013 @ 8:11am
biltongbek said | March 5th 2013 @ 8:11am | Report comment
Well if things continue at this rate we will soon see European test sides with more foreign qualified players than home born and bred players.
At that point I will become a casual observer of rugby.
Test rugby is the last stand, once that is gone there isn’t much to get passionate about, is there?
March 5th 2013 @ 8:16am
mania said | March 5th 2013 @ 8:16am | Report comment
biltongbek – as long as SH stick to the rule about overseas players being ineligible then we’ll be safe.
March 5th 2013 @ 8:27am
biltongbek said | March 5th 2013 @ 8:27am | Report comment
Ture, but when you look at Australia, their team isn’t excatly squeeky clean. i read an article in the NZ Herald the other day which showed there is a good number of non Australian born and bred players in their squad.
Soon it will be Argentina, SA and NZ against themselves.
March 5th 2013 @ 8:30am
mania said | March 5th 2013 @ 8:30am | Report comment
yeah the laws are being stretched for test rugby. i dont understand it either, but we (SA and NZ) are in a very privildeged position in that we have the depth so we can preserve our test team to be players from our nations.
but that doesnt explain aus and eng.
March 5th 2013 @ 9:25am
Sailosi said | March 5th 2013 @ 9:25am | Report comment
I think the qualification laws at the moment are perfect. They mirror football qualification laws and suit the sport. I have absolutely no problem with the likes of Brian Mujati, Tonderai Chavanga and Jonge Nokwe representing SA, David Pocock or Stephen Moore representing Australia or Manu Tuilagi and Alex Corbisiero representing England. These players have been schooled and employed in the countries they represent and deserve their place in the national team. Henry Speight is the perfect example of a player who has chosen to make Australia his home. He is employed here, pays taxes here and is a contributor to Australian society. If he chooses to represent Australia and therefore is committing his international future to Australia I say welcome.
March 5th 2013 @ 10:24am
Sprigs said | March 5th 2013 @ 10:24am | Report comment
Exactly.
What do people expect Australia to do? Discriminate against migrants?
March 5th 2013 @ 3:15pm
atlas said | March 5th 2013 @ 3:15pm | Report comment
Unsure on Henry Speight.
Are you saying he moved to Australia and just happened to play rugby?
His ARU contract was to secure his UN-availability for the Fiji RWC side in 2011.
March 5th 2013 @ 5:22pm
Jiggles said | March 5th 2013 @ 5:22pm | Report comment
Just like Sivivatu just happened to play rugby too…
March 5th 2013 @ 5:22pm
Jiggles said | March 5th 2013 @ 5:22pm | Report comment
Just like Sivivatu just happened to play rugby too…
March 5th 2013 @ 5:28pm
biltongbek said | March 5th 2013 @ 5:28pm | Report comment
Sailosi, I have had this discussion many times before on various forums.
For me it is a case of where these players got their rugby DNA from.
I love Beast, my son plays looshead prop for his school’s under 10′s he watches Beast intently to see what he should do.
However Beast should have played his rugby in SA and represented Zimbabwe. Countries like Fiji, Samoa, Namibia Zimbabwe etc cannot afford their own professional system, so players like Beast come here to make a living which I am fine with, but Zimbabwe could do with players like them.
The lower tiered countries are on a hiding to nothing when it comes to rugby development.
They get less money from the IRB and are discriminated against when they play RWC, their turn around times between games is shorter etc.
Make money where you can, but represent the country in which you learnt your trade.
I know that is idealism, but still.
I don’t want other nation’s players to represent SA.
Obviously there is a consideration for those who move to a new country as under aged children, they have no choice.
The concept of nations “poaching” young star players that has already proven they can play rugby doesn’t sit well with me.
March 5th 2013 @ 9:18pm
Greg said | March 5th 2013 @ 9:18pm | Report comment
Sivivatu wasn’t an adult when he moved to NZ, the nzru didnt poach him, jiggles.
March 6th 2013 @ 1:32pm
Jiggles said | March 6th 2013 @ 1:32pm | Report comment
He wasn’t eligible for the All Blacks when they pulled him into the squad.
March 6th 2013 @ 1:39pm
Jerry said | March 6th 2013 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
They didn’t ‘pull him into the squad’ the NZRU queried his availability as they knew he had been in NZ for more than 3 years. However, the IRB clarified that the period he was attending secondary school did not count towards his 3 year stand-down so he had to wait.
A player who comes to NZ on a high school scholarship is hardly comparable to a player who’d already played 3 seasons of professional rugby.
March 5th 2013 @ 10:01pm
Sandy said | March 5th 2013 @ 10:01pm | Report comment
I’d say don’t believe everything you read BB. Cooper Vuna, Mike Harris granted but most other players were either born in or schooled in Australia.
March 5th 2013 @ 10:24pm
biltongbek said | March 5th 2013 @ 10:24pm | Report comment
Sandy, I don’t care who plays for other teams mate, as long as the Boks stay pure I am happy.
I don’t ever want to celebrate a win because a foriegn qualified player won a match for us.
For the rest, they must make up their own minds.
March 5th 2013 @ 10:39pm
Sandy said | March 5th 2013 @ 10:39pm | Report comment
I hear you BB, I was just responding to your point about the Aussie team not being squeaky clean.
March 5th 2013 @ 10:29pm
Sandy said | March 5th 2013 @ 10:29pm | Report comment
I am assuming this is the article you are referring to,
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10867401
Of the 3 Aussie players mentioned, Ione moved to Aus at the age of 5, Cooper when he was 13 and Kepu was born in Sydney so I’m thinking he wouldn’t need residency…he would have birth rights.
Claassens said his heart belongs in France, worth a thought.
March 5th 2013 @ 10:38pm
biltongbek said | March 5th 2013 @ 10:38pm | Report comment
Yes, that’s the one.
As far as Claasens go, I struggle to beleive that. He grew up in a household where rugby ruled, his dad was a Springbok, he dad was a springbok captain.
How does one’s heart belong in France with that heritage?
Sure over time, it is possible, but I don’t beleive for one second he wanted to represnt France when he moved.
March 5th 2013 @ 9:06am
TembaVJ said | March 5th 2013 @ 9:06am | Report comment
The amount of young unknown talent that is leaving far exceeds big name players going…. That is the scariest of all.
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March 5th 2013 @ 7:04pm
chris said | March 5th 2013 @ 7:04pm | Report comment
Very few players go on to much success overseas. Most are squad players in the lower end of the french league where the team needs bodies to get through their season.
I am actually surprised it is not more of a problem though as the professional system in South Africa only really scratches the surface of the potential talent available. If you don’t go from a big rugby school and then on to one of the big unions straight after school your chances of making it as pro player in South Africa next to non-existent.
March 5th 2013 @ 12:43pm
HardcorePrawn said | March 5th 2013 @ 12:43pm | Report comment
Well, he has some experience of wearing pink, so at least the Stade Francais jerseys won’t come as too much of a shock to him…
March 5th 2013 @ 6:14pm
Zingar said | March 5th 2013 @ 6:14pm | Report comment
Good riddance! 2009 tn victory was the worst timing possible because it saddled us with this donkey while he still had so many years left to stand deep and kick the game away. NH: take him and keep him! Preferably with a clause in his contract that requires him to retire from international rugby. The IRB won’t intervene, they know it’s for the good of the international game!
The SA players who go north, with only few notable exceptions are passed it. The exceptions normally come back (viz F Steyn, Matfield)-and we occasionally pick the one or two really deserving players from overseas. It’s a good system… NH gets its star power, we get to blood youngsters because the coaches can’t hang on to their old favourite dead donkeys, and the geriatrics get a nice retirement bonus.
As to naturalised players: England is constantly picking our C team against us, and we complain? Actually maybe we do need a law change: one that will allow the French to pick M Steyn against us so that they can stop being a threat to the top seed once a world cup.
March 5th 2013 @ 8:03pm
Zingar said | March 5th 2013 @ 8:03pm | Report comment
Actually I have the answer to the Morne Steyn naturalisation problem: he was wearing a green jersey, but he wasn’t really playing rugby, see? Of course the IRB and any thinking rugby fan knows that he was really playing soccer, and I don’t think IRB laws apply to different sporting codes, do they? Then we can let England pick him, and either he does badly in which case we won’t notice the difference to either his play or England’s, or he does REALLY badly, and that’ll make the NH powers rethink their player import policies. Problem solved for everyone!
March 5th 2013 @ 8:16pm
Zingar said | March 5th 2013 @ 8:16pm | Report comment
Positives to England for picking M Steyn: He’ll never get injured through any of those nasty “tackle” situations, nor will any of the rest of your backline (plenty of rest for them too). Just a slight worry that your scrumhalf might pick up an arm strain making long passes back to behind the tryline where he normally waits to receive the ball.
March 5th 2013 @ 10:54pm
Ben.S said | March 5th 2013 @ 10:54pm | Report comment
‘England is constantly picking our C team against us, and we complain?’
Is that true?
March 5th 2013 @ 11:03pm
biltongbek said | March 5th 2013 @ 11:03pm | Report comment
No it isn’t.
March 6th 2013 @ 12:39am
Zingar said | March 6th 2013 @ 12:39am | Report comment
Obvious exaggeration for the sake of humour, relax people. Brad Barrit, Moritz Botha, Matt Stevens, Stuart Abbott. These are the kind of players I was thinking of. And yes, I’m happy they pick them, if only because unemployment in SA is so high.
March 5th 2013 @ 6:21pm
Gary Russell-Sharam said | March 5th 2013 @ 6:21pm | Report comment
M Steyn going to France is like death and taxes it was inevitable. He is at the age where he needs to bolster his pension. And why shouldn’t he do this.
I have no problems with a guy like this who has served his club and country very well indeed going and getting a bit of loot for life after rugby.
He has been an ornament to the game in SA and is going very well at the moment but he is at the point where he realizes that father time has caught up with him. He is very unlikely to be in the mix for the Boks in the near future so why not I say.
March 6th 2013 @ 7:45am
TembaVJ said | March 6th 2013 @ 7:45am | Report comment
In all honesty (from a bulls fan) this might be a good time for the bulls to start playing a different style of rugby. They have x-factor players and lightning fast wingers that finish well. Why not start to play some modern style rugby?
The rugby heads keep changing the rules to speed up the game and it always seems to effect the bulls style, why not embrace it instead of finding ways around it?
With all the money, great support and dominant pack you think now will be a good chance to make some changes in the centres, employ an ex all black back coach and start to score some tries.
Its not impossible, they can return as one of the best side easily by doing so.