François Steyn
François Philippus Lodewyk Steyn (born 14 May 1987) is a South African former professional rugby union player. A utility back who represented his country, he was able to play as a centre, fly-half, full-back and wing.
Steyn playing for Montpellier in 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth name | François Philippus Lodewyk Steyn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 14 May 1987 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Aliwal North, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 110 kg (240 lb; 17 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Grey College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Nicknamed "Daddy Frans", Steyn started his professional career with the Sharks at the age of 19 and made his Super 14 debut in 2007, before moving to France and joining Top 14 club Racing Métro 92 in 2009. He returned to the Sharks in 2012 and then spent a two years stint in Japan, playing for Toshiba Brave Lupus from 2014 to 2016. Montpellier signed him after his departure from Tokyo and he stayed with the French side for four seasons, before returning to South Africa and signing for the Cheetahs in 2020, where he retired three years later.
Having played 78 matches for the Springboks, Steyn won the World Cup on two occasions in 2007 and 2019, and is the second South African player to have won the tournament twice, as well as the youngest World Champion in the history. He also won The Rugby Championship (previously named Tri Nations) twice. A powerful and versatile player, Steyn was particularly renowned for his long distance kicking ability and strong tackling.