Handre Pollard and Frans Steyn have slotted sublime Rugby World Cup kicks for the Springboks against England. Who did it better?
Handre Pollard and Frans Steyn, two sides of a coin
What do Handrè Pollard and the legendary François Steyn have in common? Well, they’ve both slotted massive penalties to help their sides to Rugby World Cup knockout wins against England. Frans Steyn did it in the biggest game of all back in 2007 in France when he was just 20 years old, seemingly unperturbed by the unbearable pressure heaped on his shoulders. He converted from 48 metres in the 62nd minute in the final to give the Springboks a 15-6 lead. England never recovered. Pollard said the nerveless penalty in the 2023 semi-final was the best strike of his career.
Did Maverick Frans Steyn under-achieve for the Boks?
In a generation of physically brutish robots playing according to a script, Frans Steyn was the maverick that every pack of cards needs. Steyn’s legacy includes ludicrously difficult drop-kicks from range or slotted from virtually impossible angles, dressing room jokes and antics, big tackles, clutch moments, natural flair, frightening versatility, supreme in-game intelligence, dazzling improvisation and so much more.
Frans Steyn and Handre Pollard are both adored for their work in Springbok jerseys, although their styles, careers and trajectories couldn’t be more different.
