I was seven when I first watched a 20-year-old Frans Steyn tear through England’s backline in the pool stage of the 2007 World Cup. Steyn, who not even a year earlier had debuted on the wing for the Springboks – and who barely had a season of domestic rugby under his belt for the Sharks – would be called on at inside centre from the first game of the 2007 tournament, after Jean de Villiers suffered an injury against Samoa.
Steyn’s performances throughout that tournament still burn bright in my memory; the ability and energy of this young utility back who was knocking over long-distance kicks with as much ease as he was barrelling
