Morne has the edge

The Springboks' preparation for their Rugby World Cup opener against Wales gathered pace yesterday and it looks increasingly likely that Morne Steyn will start at flyhalf.

Many will say Steyn's inclusion is obvious and that since his international debut in the first test against the British & Irish Lions in 2009, he's always been the Bok first-choice flyhalf. So what's the fuss?

That perception, however, is wrong, because Steyn has often had to perform as if a test were his last.

Ruan Pienaar started the first and the second tests against the Lions with Steyn coming on late in the second test to slot a series-winning penalty from 53 metres.

With the series won, Steyn started for the first time in the third test and the Boks were routed 28-9.

Two weeks later, in the Tri-Nations opener against the All Blacks in Bloemfontein, Steyn was jettisoned for Pienaar. So much for landing the kick that won the Lions series. He was out of favour after starting at flyhalf in a reshuffled line-up.

Pienaar scored a try and kicked a penalty against the All Blacks but was injured just before halftime and Steyn emerged from the tunnel for the second half. He landed three penalties to help seal a 28-19 win.

It's at this intersection that history and reality become muddled.

The following week Steyn wrote his name in Springbok history and sealed his place as the starting flyhalf. He started the second test against the All Blacks in Durban only because Pienaar was injured. Had Pienaar, whom De Villiers once described as the "Tiger Woods of rugby", been fit, Steyn might not be with the team now.

As it was, he scored all his team's points from eight penalties, a try and a conversion as the Boks stormed to a stunning 31-19 win.

That performance made him undroppable for the remainder of the year but there were still murmurs that backline coach Dick Muir preferred a more "direct" flyhalf. Steyn has never had the unequivocal support of the coaching staff, despite his heroics.

Just six weeks ago he was again ousted from the team's starting line-up and forced to play fullback against the All Blacks to accommodate Pat Lambie at flyhalf.

Butch James, who had returned to South Africa midway through the Super 15, was part of a group of 21 Boks left behind in Rustenburg to plan for the World Cup. It was obvious that James, a 2007 World Cup winner, had the inside track to start at the World Cup.

Steyn had fallen from grace in the eyes of coach De Villiers. After a miserable game at fullback, Steyn was benched for the Tri-Nations match against Australia in Durban as James started.

James did little wrong but also didn't stamp any authority on the game and De Villiers went back to Steyn for the return match against the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth.

A match-winning haul of 18 points from five penalties and a drop goal as the Boks swept to an 18-5 win had the coach claiming afterwards that there was never any doubt about Steyn's standing as the first-choice flyhalf. He sure has a funny way of showing it.

For now Steyn has the backing of the coaches, but their support is fickle. If the Boks fail to slay the Dragons and Steyn has a rare off-day with the boot, expect him to drop out of contention again.