Steyn to miss All Blacks clash

Frans Steyn has been ruled out of next week’s Tri Nations encounter against New Zealand in Johannesburg due to injury.

The Racing Metro full-back, one of three fresh faces added to an expanded Springbok squad for the home leg of the competition, has been advised not to train until next Wednesday.

He suffered an injury to his quadriceps in a pre-season match last Friday and has discussed the issue with national management, who were hoping his return would boost their fortunes after losing all three games in the tournament so far.

Andy Marinos, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) manager of national teams, confirmed the news, adding that discussions had now been opened with Steyn’s club and the French Rugby Federation to secure his availability for the world champions’ Tests against Australia on August 28 and September 4.

“The injury situation has to be dealt with first, but we are hopeful that Frans will be available to us after the All Blacks match,” Marinos said.

Steyn, who has been capped 37 times, last played for his country in the one-off Test against Wales in Cardiff at the start of the season.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers conceded that the uncertainty over the availability of the former Sharks star had affected preparations.

He said: “It has been slightly disruptive but we have players in the group who are ready to play and it would be silly to take risks if any player is not 100 per cent fit.”

De Villiers, though, was confident his charges could bounce back from their dismal tour to Australia and New Zealand with success over the All Blacks at FNB Stadium.

He added: “We did some hard talking. It was acknowledged by us all that fixing things has to come from within and that everyone has to play their part.

“We let ourselves down and there is a determination to show that we can bounce back”.

“Last year the bulk of the squad came from the Bulls and the Sharks, who play a similar style of rugby. With more Stormers players coming in this year we have had to adapt a bit.

“We did not have the opportunity, or in fact the time, to get everyone fully on the same page, which we have now been able to do during this week’s training camp.”

New Zealand need just a point to wrestle the title away from South Africa.

The current 29-man training squad will be trimmed to 24 tomorrow, at the end of a four-day camp, with the match 22 due to be named on Tuesday.