Steyn's got his mojo back

Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn is not a man who gets ruffled but Saturday's performance against the All Blacks was an angry one for the usually mild-mannered points machine.

It wasn't a maniacal anger but a simmering rage delivered with a clear head and an icy heart as the Boks won 18-5 in Port Elizabeth. Five penalties and a drop goal under immense pressure reminded us all that Steyn is the man you'd want to kick for your life.

"I don't know if I'd call it anger but I had to fight today - I was fighting for my place," Steyn said after the game. "But any player has to fight, even someone like Victor Matfield, and that's what keeps us on our toes. We are always aware that there is someone else who could take our place."

Steyn had been dropped for Pat Lambie and Butch James in the two tests preceding Saturday's dust-up in Port Elizabeth. He was on the brink of losing his place in the starting XV and perhaps in the entire World Cup squad.

But coach Peter de Villiers tossed him a late lifeline against New Zealand and the result was Steyn's 18 points - the second time he's scored all the points in a Springbok win over the All Blacks.

"I have been a bit off recently and my game wasn't up to standard but the coach gave me another chance and I had one of my better games this year," Steyn said. "Having the opportunity to play outside Fourie du Preez and with Jean de Villiers made it so much easier for me.

"Guys like Lambie and Butch have been putting pressure on me and after being dropped I realised I'm not guaranteed the No1 spot.

"But I had a great week building up to the test. Training went well and I just felt positive with all the senior players around me."

Steyn took his points tally against the All Blacks to 109 in only eight games. The Boks have won four of those matches when Steyn has been at flyhalf, which makes him one of the most successful players against New Zealand in the current Bok squad.

"The All Blacks are always a tough side to play against but I've had some success against them and hopefully I'll have another chance at the World Cup," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

"Part of our plan was to kick for the corners and pin them back in their half because they prefer to run the ball back rather than kick it. Our defence was awesome. It's probably the way we'll play if we face them again this year."