François Steyn

François Philippus Lodewyk Steyn (born 14 May 1987) is a South African rugby union coach and former player. A utility back who represented his country, he was able to play as a centre, fly-half, full-back and wing. He is currently the Head Coach of the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup.

Nicknamed "Daddy Frans", Steyn started his professional career with the Sharks at the age of 19 and made his Super 14 debut in 2007, before moving to France and joining Top 14 club Racing Métro 92 in 2009. He returned to the Sharks in 2012 and then spent a two years stint in Japan, playing for Toshiba Brave Lupus from 2014 to 2016. Montpellier signed him after his departure from Tokyo and he stayed with the French side for four seasons, before returning to South Africa and signing for the Cheetahs in 2020, where he retired three years later.

Having played 78 matches for the Springboks, Steyn won the World Cup on two occasions in 2007 and 2019, and is the second South African player to have won the tournament twice, as well as the youngest World Champion in the history. He also won The Rugby Championship (previously named Tri Nations) twice. A powerful and versatile player, Steyn was particularly renowned for his long distance kicking ability and strong tackling.

Club career Sharks In his debut season of Super 14 rugby for the Sharks, Steyn played on the right wing, however, was moved to fullback when Percy Montgomery was injured.

Sharks Steyn then rejoined the Sharks by signing a three-year deal on 29 May 2012. Steyn was not available to them for the knock-outs due to his late entry into the squad and didn't play when the Sharks lost in the final to the Chiefs.

The player made his return for the Sharks in the 2013 Super Rugby competition, captaining the side in the first few matches in the absence of regular skipper, Keegan Daniel. Steyn struggled with form early on in Super Rugby, but as the season progressed, he began to regain the form that first earned him Springbok honours. Once again though, Steyn was injured in the Sharks league match against the Highlanders in Dunedin, which they lost. Steyn would have to wait until the Currie Cup semi-final of 2013 against the Free State Cheetahs to make his next appearance. He was subbed early on in the match, but was again selected for the final against DHL Western Province. Steyn's contributions on attack were good, but it was his immense defense that really marked his successful comeback, and helped the Sharks to Currie Cup victory in 2013. After only 2 matches back, Steyn was not selected for the Springbok end of year tour in 2013.

Cheetahs and retirement After four seasons in the south of France, Steyn returned to South Africa and joined the Cheetahs on 1 July 2020. He made his debut on 10 October in a Super Rugby Unlocked match against the Pumas in Bloemfontein. In July, he announced his retirement from professional rugby at the age of 36 and renounced taking part in the Rugby Championship and the World Cup in France.

International career

After playing only ten matches for the in the 2006 Currie Cup Premier Division (at fly-half), Steyn was, at 19 years old, selected to represent South Africa in the Northern Hemisphere touring squad by national coach Jake White. He debuted at wing against Ireland, he scored a try on his debut. In his next international match he was moved to fullback against England, scoring a long range drop-goal, from his own half. Steyn has shown to possess superb goal kicking qualities as well.

Steyn kicked two drop goals in the 2007 Tri Nations opener against Australia at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, to win the game for the Springboks. One of these, a 42-metre effort from a fielded clearance kick next to the sideline, and another three minutes from time next to the posts about 30 metres out.

In South Africa's first game at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, their centre Jean de Villiers got injured. Steyn replaced him, playing only his second game at professional level at inside centre, but he made a break on first touch of the ball and his inclusion sparked the Springboks to a 37–0 second half demolition of Samoa.

On 24 September 2007 Steyn was cited to appear before a disciplinary hearing for allegedly biting Tongan winger Joseph Vaka during the Springboks v. Tonga 2007 Rugby World Cup game on 22 September. . Both players were sent to the sinbin in the 60th minute for an off-the-ball incident. He was subsequently cleared of the charge, due to insufficient evidence and Vaka conceding that the apparent "bite mark" could have been received during normal play.

Steyn was the starting inside centre for the Springboks in the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final, he made a fantastic break that resulted in a penalty for the Boks and also converted one himself later on in the game. He is therefore the youngest player to win a Rugby World Cup.

In the Springboks' final match of the 2009 Tri Nations against New Zealand, his last match with the Boks before his departure for France, he converted three penalties from within his own half of the field; he is believed to be the first player ever to do so in a Test match.

Reaching his 50th test cap against Argentina in Cape Town in 2012, Steyn is the youngest South African to reach the milestone. Steyn was injured during the 2012 Rugby Championship, missing the final 2 matches, along with the Currie Cup, and the end of year tour to the UK.

Steyn was re-called for South Africa for the 2017 series against France due to the injuries of Pat Lambie and Handre Pollard, after a 3-year absence from international rugby.

In 2019, Steyn was again called up as part of the South African team to play in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and became one of the 21 players to have won the trophy on two occasions, and only the second South African to do so.

Honours

Super 14 Runner-up (2): 2007

Currie Cup Winner (2): 2008, 2013

European Rugby Challenge Cup Winner (1): 2015-16 Top 14 Runner-up (1): 2017-18

Currie Cup Winner (1): 2023

Rugby World Cup Winner (2): 2007, 2019 Tri Nations/The Rugby Championship Winner (2): 2009, 2019 Runner-up (1): 2022