Green grass of home

Frans Steyn has returned from France armed with invaluable experience that could make the second half of his career even more impressive.

The prodigiously talented 25-year-old has achieved much in his short career, with a World Cup, Tri-Nations, three years in the French Top 14  and 49 Test caps already under his belt, and if he settles at inside centre for both franchise and country he could become one of the most successful backline players in Springbok history.

Steyn is clearly excited about the opportunity to play his rugby in South Africa, as he had not expected to return from France until he was approached by the Sharks.

"I didn't think I would be here again, I was close to staying there [France] and then the Sharks came to me and all of that and I am just happy to be here again, I am enjoying it so far," he said.

The former Racing Metro star played alongside Pumas flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez amongst a host of Argentinian players in France, and he believes that the new generation of professional players will make the South Americans a force to be reckoned with in the future.

"They are very good players and I think that some of us underestimate them, the new bunch of Argentinian young players that are coming through are really good players, some of them are not yet in the starting line-up.

"I played with some of them and against some of them and I think it is going to be interesting to see what Argentina can do in the next couple of years," he said.

The versatile back said that he is enjoying life at inside centre alongside Jean de Villiers, but quipped that he was just grateful to be back talking Afrikaans on the field, no matter what position.

"I am enjoying it, Jean has got an awful lot of experience and he talks a lot on the field. It is just good to be home and speaking Afrikaans on the field.

"If you play for the Springboks there is pressure on every week, it doesn't matter if you play lock or wing or whatever you have to perform week-in and week-out to keep your position in the team or even to stay in the starting line-up even if it is at fullback or wing," he said.

Steyn is convinced that Argentina will win at least one match in the Rugby Championship and is focused on delivering a convincing performance as he looks to launch the second half of his career.

"I definitely think they are going to beat somebody along the line in this competition so obviously the pressure is on us and we have to play well on Saturday.

"I love playing at Newlands, I have had some awesome games here so I am looking forward to it," he said.

Steyn seems intent on making the most of this new start as he settles into  a position and gameplan that make the most of his direct style, and he explained that the open approach that Heyneke Meyer employs suits him down to the ground.

"For me it has been good because it is honest and open, if you made a mistake on the field he doesn't even have to tell somebody, you already know. So I think the biggest thing is the honesty and everybody respects each other," he said.

By Michael de Vries