Steyn and company dream of facing the Lions

Frans Steyn, who participated for the Springboks against the British & Irish Lions at Kings Park Stadium in 2009, could make history by taking part in next year’s tour. Image: David Rogers / Getty Images

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS

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The story calls out Frans Steyn, the Springboks utility vehicle, in next year’s test series against the British & Irish Lions.

Steyn, a Rugby World Cup winner at the age of 20 and a two-time World Cup winner 12 years later, could add an incredible double to his professional career with a win against the Lions.

Steyn, who took the most glorious of penalties to secure the Springboks 15-12 victory against England in the 2007 World Cup final in Paris, France, and played a major role in the success of the World Cup. Last year’s world, has returned to South Africa after several years of playing rugby for clubs in France and Japan.

Their reason: the British AND Irish lions.

Steyn wants twice as much as he wants to give back to South African rugby.

The British AND The Irish Lions only travel to South Africa every 12 years and Steyn would be the exception, playing against them twice during an international career.

A rare double

The Springbok’s first centurion and proof point record holder, Percy Montgomery, made his tryout debut against the Lions in 1997, but retired in 2008.

He immediately joined the Boks coaching staff and enjoyed a 2-1 win over the Lions in 2009. But Montgomery will tell you that he remembers the series he lost as a player more than the one he won as a coach.

Lions are important in the history of South African rugby and last year’s Rugby World Cup player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit told SA Rugby magazine that the Lions series was even bigger than the Lions’ series. World Cup because it happens very rarely.

Rassie Erasmus, SA Rugby’s national rugby director and Springboks World Cup winning coach, matches up in the Lions challenge.

As a player, Erasmus made his test debut against the Lions in 1997 in what he describes as the highlight of his international career. A traditionalist known for his appreciation of what matters in rugby, he has always subscribed to the Lions’ magnetism.

Privilege of wearing the shirts

“There are players who have been to three World Cups and finished their careers with a winner’s medal and yet they never got to play against the Lions,” Erasmus said.

“They only come every 12 years for our players, and only some of them have the privilege of wearing the Springbok jersey in a Lions series. The Lions haven’t lost a series since they were last here a decade ago, and they will present a next-level challenge. “

Handré Pollard, who won the World Cup last year, was just 15 when the Lions last traveled to South Africa. He admitted that, outside of a World Cup final, there could be no greater occasion for a South African player than a series of tryouts against the Lions.

“It was probably the first thing we talked about after winning the Rugby World Cup,” Pollard said.

“We said to each other, ‘Listen, the Lions are playing next year and it’s going to be amazing.’ It’s a childhood dream of mine to play for the Springboks in a Lions series. I was only 15 when Morné Steyn beat the penalty at Loftus to win the 2009 series. I was just a kid who dreamed of playing for the Springboks, but that feeling stuck in my head and never went away.

“The possibility and the realization of being a part of something like this would be like a dream come true, really. The Lions series will be epic. “

Lions coach Warren Gatland echoed Pollard’s opinion.

Unforgetable experience

“We will play in traditional and new venues against the world champions. It will be an unforgettable experience for players and traveling fans. We really want to tour this wonderful country, ”Gatland said.

Ian McGeechan, who played and coached the Lions in South Africa, said that being in the country as part of the Sea of ​​Red was an experience that will never be forgotten.

“South Africa has a special atmosphere that you just can’t find anywhere else,” he said.

Next year’s British and Irish Lions tour will be the biggest sporting event this country has seen since the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Famous supporters of the Lions will add flavor to the landscape and a much-needed boost to the country’s economy. But South Africa’s accessibility and affordability has been at the forefront of the ticket price structure. – Staff reporter

• All South African residents must register their entry interest online. Registration is essential to qualify for the ballot process, which opens online at 10:30 a.m. M. From Wednesday.