Frans Steyn

Frans Steyn is a rugby union player from St James, currently playing for the Sharks in Espaerian Premiership Rugby. He is one of the most capped players in the Great Auks and St James, with his preferred position being inside centre. He currently resides in his home in St James, but has a summer house on the Emerald Coast.

## Early Life

Born 14th May 1987, Francois 'Frans' Steyn grew up in the outskirts of James City. He attended the prestigious Grey College and was spotted for his rugby talent aged 15. Soon he became highly skilled at distance kicking and aged 17 he started at inside centre for James City in the 2004 St James Rugby Championship.

## Club Career

These are the clubs he has played for:

James City: 2004-2007

Flumdos Knights: 2007-2008

Sharks: 2008-2011

Hundon National: 2011-2012

Otters: 2012-2013

Flumdos Knights: 2013-2014

Montpellier: 2014-2018

Sharks: 2018-present

Steyn recently signed a contract with the Sharks, extending his stay there until 2025. He was known to swap clubs after coaches discovered his ability to play multiple positions (he is a pioneer of the 'utility back'). This ability meant he regularly did not start at his preferred position and would often leave at the end of a season as he signed one-year contracts on a regular basis.

## Scandals

Steyn is a player who enjoyed change and playing for different clubs. As he became more wanted by 'larger' teams, he was offered a year's trial contract at the Flumdos Knights for 1000 ESD in 2007. The following year he was offered 4000 ESD by the Sharks to play until the 2011 St James Rugby Championship concluded. He was later offered 2000 ESD for a year's contract at Hundon National, and the same a year later at the Otters. He returned to Flumdos for a massive 3000 ESD for a year's contract, but then he signed for 5 years to play for Montpellier from 2014-2018 for 'only' 4000 ESD, the lowest he had been paid per year since signing for James City for 500 ESD a year. This agreement was hotly discussed in the media, and then it was revealed that Steyn had taken a salary cut of 1000 ESD in return for a home on the Emerald Coast. This agreement was legal and so there was no backlash, but reports around the Montpellier side included alleged corruption and eventually the side would be forcibly relegated from EPR for a year in 2021 after being convicted of corruption.

Upon moving to the Sharks in 2018, another scandal came out. In 2016, Steyn had spent 2 months at the Otters as a mid-contract break. The two months couldn't pass fast enough as Steyn was involved in multiple altercations with Clive Magnussen. During one training session, Steyn decided to tackle Magnussen as hard as he could, causing the coach a minor head injury. This was covered up as many of the players and coaching staff sided with Steyn after he had been treated badly by Magnussen throughout his stay. No charges were brought against Steyn and Magnussen has never commented on the event.

## State Career

In 2009, in preparation of the 2010 Espaeria Cup, Frans Steyn was selected for the St James squad that would tour Naridia. St James went on to win the tour 4-0, an Steyn established himself as a regular starter at inside centre.

In 2014 Steyn was a key member of the Espaeria Cup winning squad and scored a grand total of 67 points for his side.

He currently holds 120 caps for St James.

## International Career

In 2008, Steyn was selected for the 2008 International Challenge and became starting inside centre for the Great Auks. His kicking would help the side win for the 3rd time in a row, but for the 2011 Great Auks tour of Balo he was replaced by Sir James.
Later in 2011, he was selected for the Great Auks tour of St Mary's as inside centre, replacing future captain Sir James. In doing so, he re-established his position in the squad and would be key in the 2012 International Challenge.

He currently holds 109 caps, just one behind captain Sir James.