Springboks, Bulls and Stade Francais legend joins Lions’ backroom staff
Morne Steyn at a Springbok training session in 2021.
The Lions have announced that former Bulls, Stade Francais and Springboks fly-half Morne Steyn has joined their backroom staff as a kicking consultant ahead of their 2023/24 United Rugby Championship (URC) and Challenge Cup campaigns.
Steyn, who retired at the completion of the Bulls’ recent Currie Cup campaign after a 20-year career as a professional rugby player, was renowned as one of the game’s most prolific points-scorers.
He represented South Africa in 68 Tests between 2009 and 2021 and amassed 742 points for the Boks. The 39-year-old is set to work closely with the Lions kickers.
Steyn is eager to join the Johannesburg-based franchise and wants to add value in his new role.
“I’m incredibly excited to get stuck in with the Emirates Lions,” he told the Lions’ official website.
“They are a team with exciting talent and astute professionalism both from a players and coaching perspective, with the potential of achieving great things in the future.
“I’m particularly looking forward to working closely with the kickers in the squad, and my aim is to make a difference to the team’s kicking strategy.
Excited to work with the Lions kickers
“The Lions are extremely fortunate to have great ball strikers; guys like Jordan (Hendrikse), Quan (Horn), and Sanele (Nohamba) are all brilliant kickers, so I’m excited to work with them closely.”
With the start of the upcoming URC campaign just under two months away, Lions chief executive Rudolf Straeuli said the franchise is delighted to have secured the services of the former Bok, who was the match-winner in two separate series against the British and Irish Lions in 2009 and 2021.
“There’s no doubt that Morne was one of the best kickers in world rugby and to have him share his knowledge and experience with our group is huge for us,” said Straeuli.
“Tactical and goal-kicking forms a major part of competitive rugby, especially in Europe where conditions are often testing and rely heavily on out-of-hand kicking.
“To have the calibre of Morne advise and guide our kickers will no doubt influence and enhance our game strategy.”
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