Springbok “rocket launcher” Francois Steyn has admitted that moving to France to play for Top 14 club Racing-Metro could endanger his international career, but said his move out of the comfort zone had taken priority.
The 22-year-old, who has started training with his new teammates and could be included in the squad for Saturday’s home game against Montpellier, added that the new challenge of playing overseas was something he could not have turned down.
“Yes, without doubt,” he answered when asked in an interview with L’Equipe sports daily if his French leave could affect his international Springbok career.
“But I’m still young and all my life I’ve always wanted to sample new experiences. When you always do the same things over and over in the same place, you get bored, you always stay in your comfort zone,” he said. “It’s because of that that I wanted something different, something to see how I will react.”
Steyn, the youngest ever World Cup winner at age 19 in 2007, added: “I would love to continue playing for the Springboks, that’s for sure. But the decision is in the coaches’ hands. They’re not too keen on picking guys who play overseas, so we’ll see,” he said.
“In the meantime, my priority is to perform well for Racing and if I can bring something to the club I’ll be stoked,” Steyn said. “I feel quite fresh because during the last three Bok Test matches I only came off the bench. I feel like I’ve recovered well and I’m raring to go with Racing, as soon as possible.”
Racing-Metro languish one from bottom of the Top 14 league and badly need the skills of the ex-Sharks star, a proven long-distance kicking phenomenon.
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