Not wanted by Jake, Morne now dons red

There are several people who still probably believe he should be in France with a Green and Gold tracksuit at the moment, but it was red that Morne Steyn chose as he started the new chapter of his life as a kicking consultant for the Emirates Lions.

Steyn, the legendary Bok flyhalf who has the unique distinction of kicking the winning penalty to sink the British and Irish Lions not once, but twice, started the new chapter this week as a three times a week role with the Lions.

And the first question that was thrown his way was the typical one on everyone’s lips - why not the Bulls?

Steyn revealed that he had planned to be the junior kicking coach for the age-group teams in Pretoria at the franchise he loved, but that decisions had gone against that.

“It is actually a bit of a funny situation,” Steyn smiled. “I spoke to the Bulls and I was supposed to start with the juniors in August, because the senior team didn’t want me as a kicking consultant or coach.

“Behind the scenes I heard that Jake (White, the Bulls coach) doesn’t want me there anymore and that he has other plans. The Lions then approached me with this opportunity and I decided to take it.”

Hoe rooier 🔴 hoe mooier 😍 #LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/X9ZS1wB0ut

— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) August 30, 2023

Now White may have a perfectly reasonable reason not to employ the Bulls legend and the Lions jumped at the opportunity to use his vast experience with their kickers, but it probably won’t sit well with Bulls supporters.

Still, this is a professional era and Steyn will cross the Jukskei like so many players before him where he will fulfill a role that is currently not needed in Pretoria.

As he was pressed on the issue, he sidestepped it more deftly than he had in his career.

TWO-YEAR DEAL

“I think it is a new thing there at the Bulls. They haven’t had a kicking coach since Vlok Cilliers left. So maybe things will change in the next year or two but at the moment I don’t think he wants a kicking consultant or coach there.

“Chris Rossouw is there. So he is doing a lot of the kicking game and he helps out the guys there. At the moment he might not think it’s necessary for them to have a kicking coach, but in the years to come we will see what happens.”

Steyn was happy that despite just retiring, he was snapped up so quickly.

“Just the other day I was playing, so to get an opportunity like this so early in my coaching career is great and it is an awesome time to join up with the Lions.”

Steyn explained his role was three times a week with the players and that he had left room for it to expand if needed.

“Being a consultant I come in three times a week to work with the guys during pre-season and then two times a week during the playing season,” said Steyn.

“I will get the guys on the training field to put in the work every day and help them with new drills. I will also be working with some of the outside guys who aren’t normally kickers, because sometimes you can’t just rely on the nine and 10 to do the kicking duties.

“Being a coach you look deeper into the kicking game and I think guys like Jacque Fourie and Ricardo Loubscher will be doing that. But I will definitely sit in with them and give my opinions and help where I can.

“I’ll definitely play a part in the whole kicking game. I have signed a two year deal so we will see how I can get more involved and how my role will change over that time.”