Depending on which side you support, the inclusion of Morné Steyn in South Africa’s squad to prepare for the British and Irish Lions will probably fill you with dread, scepticism or eager anticipation.
The 36-year-old, who is now back with the Bulls after a long stint in France with Stade Français, was recalled to the Springboks by head coach Rasie Erasmus last week as the home side looks to blend experience with youth.
Steyn is best known for his final-minute penalty in the second Test match in 2009 which won the series for the hosts in dramatic fashion.
That memory of the final kick of the match will last in the minds of both sets of fans, particularly for Lions supporters as it ended any hopes of the tourists repeating their victory of 1997 in an instant.
Whether Steyn will play a similarly starring role or even make the starting squad for the Test matches remains to be seen, but his inclusion is certainly an intriguing one, given his age and the fact that he hasn’t featured in the green of South Africa for nearly five years.
As second-row Victor Matfield proved throughout the latter stages of his career, age is no barrier to form if you can keep it, so Steyn has as good an opportunity as anyone to fit back into the South African fold.
Steyn’s attacking prowess as well as his kicking skill remain his forté, as discussed in SuperSport’s recent episode of The Final Whistle, where a panel including former Springbok coach Nick Mallett, hypothesise where Steyn could fit into Erasmus’s squad.
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