Morne Steyn: Signed a three year-deal
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The Blue Bulls have confirmed that Springbok fly-half Mornè Steyn will join Stade Français at the end of the South African domestic season.
Steyn has signed a deal which will keep him at the Top 14 club until June 2016, but he will see out his contract with the Bulls, which expires on October 31.
Steyn was contracted to the Bulls since 2003 and has won numerous titles at Super Rugby and Currie Cup levels.
The 29-year-old pivot, who has played in 42 Tests for the Springboks, feels the time is right for a change.
"I have invested so much of my life with the Bulls, so it was a very tough decision to make," said Steyn.
"I basically owe everything I achieved in rugby to them, but the opportunity to join Stade comes at the right time in my career.
"I always wanted to play some rugby abroad and experience a different lifestyle and now have the opportunity to go and do that.
"They have been negotiating with me for a while now and I have decided not to accept the offer from the Bulls to extend my contract, but rather join Stade."
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said Steyn leaves the Pretoria-based union with his blessing.
"I don't think anyone can doubt or question the loyalty that Mornè has shown to us," he said.
"He has given everything he had for ten years now and one cannot fault his decision to expand his horizons.
"We will forever be grateful to have a player like that in our generation and can only wish him the best.
"He will be missed as he is a world class player, but I know that he will still be giving us 110 percent till the end of his term."
High Performance Manager Xander Janse van Rensburg confirmed that the Bulls offered Steyn an extension to his contract, but could not match the Parisian offer.
"Morné also indicated to us that he will use the remainder of his time here to mentor our junior crop of flyhalves coming through, which is something we are very pleased about," said Janse van Rensburg.
Comments
malaprade says...
@ turboboy and TheGreatOne.
If France had a better kicker in the last game against England they would have won. They had all the flair though. England were the boring side. Just what French sides need I think.
@papachinzo.
Leinster class? Leinster vs Paris. I pardon you in advance for this one.
Posted 18:51 08th March 2013
GoWalesGo says...
I think people make too big a deal about the import situation.
France have never developed quality 10's in their history. It's just not in their culture.
The 9 is the playmaker and the 10 is a distributor/kicker.
Posted 15:28 06th March 2013
Kid_Diablo says...
@papachinzo: if true i'm glad. if steyn came in he could have potentially been first choice but i see the gopperth signing as madigan being first choice with quality back-up.
Posted 01:49 05th March 2013
turboboy says...
TheGreatOne says...
"French rugby is about to get 10% more boring" I think you've undercooked your estimate!
No doubt about Steyn being one of the best kickers about but do Stade really need the up and under added to their arsenal or a more dynamic 10?? No altitude to help with hang time and really needs a very dominant pack to shine.
Posted 23:42 04th March 2013
shuki says...
sheesh, what's the big deal, let him enjoy his rugby in a foreign country that will pay him an increase to see europe and play in the mud. yeah, he's had a dip in form but any young no.10 has a lot to learn from him, let him widen his horizons a bit, good on ya Morne see what else is out there.
Posted 23:13 04th March 2013
papachinzo says...
I think Leinster were after him too, Clearly he went for money over class. Leinster just announced that they signed Gopperth on a 2 year deal from Newcastle... :S
Posted 16:16 04th March 2013
Kid_Diablo says...
Don't stade have a young french out-half that was making a big impression at the start of the season ( or end of last season, i forget ). Well hopefully steyn will help get them back to the h-cup. I'm hoping for a Leinster Stade final in the amlin this year.
Posted 16:06 04th March 2013
Realbull says...
Well he is regaining his form,but good long term decision. Were loyal to the Bulls for the past 10 years. Time to cash in!
Posted 13:39 04th March 2013
99call says...
This is a geniune question outside of Trinh-Duc is there a frenchman playing outhalf for any of the top 14 clubs????????
How can a country that has produced so many exciting players not be able to produce a couple of decent 10s, its just turned into a vicious circle they havent got any home grown 10s so they buy in foreigners then any home grown 10s cant get a game because of all the foreign 10s in france, its a ridiculous situation
Posted 12:53 04th March 2013
Dezz says...
All very bad for French International rugby. Another foreigner taking up a controlling position.
Posted 12:38 04th March 2013
Billybob says...
I'm surprised he didn't go to Toulon ! He'd, replace wilko, be a lot cheaper and they could start training in Afrikaans seeing as there so many staffers there!
Posted 12:29 04th March 2013
TheGreatOne says...
French rugby is about to get 10% more boring
Posted 12:18 04th March 2013