By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GettyImages.
Former Springbok and two-time British and Irish Lions series winner has joined the Joburg-based team, Lions ahead of the next United Rugby Championship season.
The Lions on Monday officially announced that Morne Steyn has been recruited as the union’s new kicking consultant.
“I’m incredibly excited to get stuck in with the Lions,” Steyn said in a statement released by the Johannesburg franchise on Monday.
“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. 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.”
Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli added that they were delighted to have secured the services of the former Bok.
“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.
“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,” concluded Straeuli.
The Lions get their URC campaign underway against the Stormers in Johannesburg on 21 October.