Frans Steyn enjoying his twilight days for Springboks

For Frans Steyn, the match-winning cameo in Cardiff on Saturday was special for a variety of reasons, but chief among them was the realisation it could be his last game there.

South Africa’s monster full-back landed a trademark 55 metre penalty and created havoc in the Welsh chase-line every time he ran the ball back.

He was given man of the match in the 23-18 victory despite having only played just over half of it and it was his eighth win from eight attempts against the Welsh, a feat few others can boast about having achieved.

I love playing here

But at the grand old age of 34, Steyn, who has a fair shot at being the fourth player to play in five World Cups in 2023 if he can maintain form, is aware that he is only a couple of shockers away from his international days being over.

“The weather was terrible but I love playing here!” said Steyn, reflecting on his weekend display. “I’ve never lost in (Wales) and it is one of my favourite places to play because of the noise the fans make.”

But time is not on Steyn’s side, and with Damian Willemse snapping at his heels and Willie le Roux still firmly entrenched as the number one full-back, Steyn knows he must remain on top of his game.

“I think I have realised that when I come on, it could be the last time in the green and gold,” Steyn said.

“That’s just it. I just want to enjoy it and make full use of that opportunity.

“I don’t have any regrets. There were a lot of screw-ups in my younger days but rugby is a weird sport. Next week it can go another way, I could have a shocker. That’s the way rugby works.

“You can’t always be on a high, but as I said, this (Saturday) could be the last game I play for the Springboks, you never know. There is a lot of talent coming through, so I am just enjoying my time.”