Steyn boosts hopes of Springbok recall

Deposed Springbok fly-half Morne Steyn kicked 23 points for the Blue Bulls Saturday as they reached the Currie Cup semi-finals with a 50-29 triumph at title holders Golden Lions.

Steyn has vowed to reclaim his national team place after disastrous place kicking and a reluctance to attack the advantage line led to his axing for recent home Tests against Australia and New Zealand.

Young successor Johan Goosen has been ruled out of November Tests in Ireland, Scotland and England by injury, leaving second-choice Elton Jantjies and Steyn to fight for the No 10 shirt.

Jantjies was rested by caretaker coach Johan Ackerman until the second half with the Lions having already secured a home semi-final, and did not take any shots at goal because starting fly-half Butch James was in outstanding form.

Steyn slotted four conversions, four penalties and a drop goal, Bjorn Basson, Jano Vermaak, Arno Bota, Dewald Potgieter and Akona Ndungane scored a try each, and replacement fly-half Louis Fouche kicked a conversion.

James, fly-half when South Africa won the 2007 Rugby World Cup in Paris, contributed 19 points from five penalties and the conversions of tries by Michael Rhodes and Anthony Volmink.

Bulls began the match in danger of finishing last and being forced into a relegation play-off against second division winners Eastern Province Kings, but ended with a bonus-point win and a Durban semi-final with the Sharks.

Western Province travel to Johannesburg for the other semi-final against the Lions after a 36-15 victory in Cape Town over the Free State Cheetahs, who must defeat the Kings over two legs to retain top-flight status.

AFP