“To be honest, that wasn’t how I envisioned the end of the journey. Every player wants it to end on their own terms, but I’m fortunate to have played this game for so long and [am] So grateful for the journey I’ve had.”
Steyn made his debut for the Springboks as a 19-year-old against Ireland in 2006, scoring a try at Lansdowne Road. The following year he became the youngest player ever to win the Rugby World Cup, when the Boks beat England in Paris, where Steyn, playing at centre-half, scored a 55-metre penalty in the second half.
His long range kicks became his hallmark, scoring three penalties from inside his own half against the All Blacks in Hamilton in 2009 helping the Boks to victory there and claiming the Rugby Championship title in the process.