Frans Steyn makes waves with response to Israel Dagg comments

Springbok legend Frans Steyn took to social media to respond to Israel Dagg’s recent comments about South Africa and Super Rugby.

The former All Black fullback questioned why his country and Australia broke ties with South Africa when it came to that tournament.

Dagg’s comments came ahead of this weekend’s Super Rugby Pacific Final between the Blues and Chiefs at Eden Park.

“I went down a rabbit hole. I know we should be focusing on the now and what’s ahead of us this weekend. But man, I miss South Africa being a part of Super Rugby,” he said during an interview on radio station SENZ.

It was a social media clip of a packed-out Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria during the old Super Rugby days that sparked Dagg’s comments.

“It got me, thinking ‘How the hell did we let them go?’ Our greatest rivals with arguably some of the greatest players to play the game constantly on our screens or even in the flesh, I’ll never forget my first trip to South Africa.”

When @rugby365com posted Dagg’s comments on social media, Steyn, who is now the Cheetahs’ Director of Rugby, issued his response in the comments section.

“There are other teams in SA that want the opportunity!!” said Steyn.

Many fans and pundits believe the Cheetahs have been treated unfairly when it comes to participation in cross-continental tournaments.

They were cut from Super Rugby in 2017 and they eventually joined the Pro14 in the Northern Hemisphere.

When the Pro14 was rebranded as the United Rugby Championship ahead of the 2021/2022 season, the Cheetahs were not included.

The Lions, Bulls, Sharks and Stormers are the South African franchises that compete in the URC.

Steyn won 78 caps for the Springboks from 2006 to 2023. He played multiple positions including fullback, centre and fly-half. Steyn won two Rugby World Cups in 2007 and 2019.