Boks flyhalf Morne Steyn takes pressure in his stride

Springbok flyhalf Morné Steyn is not a man that easily succumbs to pressure as he’s repeatedly proven during his Test career.

On Saturday he was under pressure to produce a calm and composed performance‚ which would go a long way to stopping the Boks’ three-match losing streak. He delivered with authority‚ scoring all the Boks’ points in an 18-10 win.

Considering the Boks played most of the game on the back foot‚ the 32-year-old’s ability to hit a raking clearance‚ nail a vital drop-goal‚ or land a crucial penalty were enough to ensure the Wallabies left Pretoria with a seventh straight loss at Loftus.

Steyn revealed afterwards that his French club Stade Francais is putting him under pressure to retire from Test rugby. It’s hardly the kind of distraction a player needs in the background when involved in the heat of the Rugby Championship.

But like his game‚ Steyn seems to take it all in his stride.

“There was a lot of pressure on me today because after three losses it’s usually the No 9 and No 10 that aren’t doing their best when the team is losing‚” Steyn said.

“Also‚ there was a lot of expectation on me because I was playing at Loftus‚ a place where I have kicked a lot of balls and had a lot of success.

“At captain’s practice on Friday I had very positive feelings and it felt like I was back at the Bulls again‚ which helped going into the match.

“My club is putting me under pressure to retire from Test rugby because they haven’t seen me for four months having been involved with the Boks. But I still want to play for South Africa‚ so I will decide when I’m ready to retire and talk to them and sort it out.”

It was the third time in his career that Steyn has scored all the Springboks’ points in a winning cause. He first did it against the All Blacks in 2009 when he scored a record 31 points in Durban as the Boks won 31-19.

In 2011 Steyn scored all 18 points against the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth with the Boks winning 18-5.

Steyn’s two drop-goals against the Wallabies at Loftus took his tally to 10 drops in his career and he moved to 721 Test points.

It was the first time he has slotted two drops in a single match and also his first drop-goal at Test level for over four years. The last time he slotted a drop prior to Saturday was against England in Johannesburg in 2012.

Steyn admitted his performance wasn’t flawless. His previous Test start was over two years ago against the Wallabies in Perth and even though he went to Rugby World Cup 2015 he had to work hard to stay motivated.

“I hadn’t started in a long time and there were some mistakes‚ but I’m happy‚" Steyn said.

“It was special for me when I heard I was going to start at Loftus. It was a good training week and I felt ready.

“It’s not always that easy to stay motivated when you’re sitting on the bench or sitting next to the field in your number ones.

“But to be part of the team and of the Springboks is still an amazing privilege‚ which is why I keep going.

“I don’t know if I’ll still be playing Test rugby in two or three years. Handré Pollard is coming back and Pat Lambie is back from injury.

“I still want to play but at this stage I have to take it game by game. Actually I have to take it minute by minute.”

TMG Digital/TMG Sport