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Cape Town - He hasn't ruled it out completely, but Springbok centre Frans Steyn says it’s unlikely he’ll play international rugby again.
Steyn, 27, shocked the rugby fraternity in June this year when he made himself unavailable for Springbok selection shortly before a Test against Wales in Durban, after playing against a World XV in Cape Town the previous week.
It emerged that his decision to pull out of the Springbok squad was due to a monetary dispute with the South African Rugby Union (SARU) regarding his image rights, which were handled by a third party.
Steyn was upset about a promise SARU made to him when he returned from French club, Racing Metro, to play for the Sharks in 2012. Due to the dispute with SARU, Steyn was earning less than half of what he could have made overseas.
In an interview with the EWN Sport website, Steyn said he's made peace with his decision but doesn't expect a return to the international fold.
He described the past six months as a "rollercoaster ride" and a period in his life he does not want over.
However, he feels he made the right decision because his "heart and soul wasn’t in it".
When asked if he thinks he will ever play international rugby again, Steyn said it was a tough question to answer.
He said it would be nice to play for the Boks again, but has "pretty much made peace with it, I don’t think it is going to happen".
Steyn has represented the Boks in 53 Tests since making his debut as a 19-year-old against Ireland in 2006.
CLICK HERE to read the full interview with Frans Steyn on the EWN Sport website.
Steyn, 27, shocked the rugby fraternity in June this year when he made himself unavailable for Springbok selection shortly before a Test against Wales in Durban, after playing against a World XV in Cape Town the previous week.
It emerged that his decision to pull out of the Springbok squad was due to a monetary dispute with the South African Rugby Union (SARU) regarding his image rights, which were handled by a third party.
Steyn was upset about a promise SARU made to him when he returned from French club, Racing Metro, to play for the Sharks in 2012. Due to the dispute with SARU, Steyn was earning less than half of what he could have made overseas.
In an interview with the EWN Sport website, Steyn said he's made peace with his decision but doesn't expect a return to the international fold.
He described the past six months as a "rollercoaster ride" and a period in his life he does not want over.
However, he feels he made the right decision because his "heart and soul wasn’t in it".
When asked if he thinks he will ever play international rugby again, Steyn said it was a tough question to answer.
He said it would be nice to play for the Boks again, but has "pretty much made peace with it, I don’t think it is going to happen".
Steyn has represented the Boks in 53 Tests since making his debut as a 19-year-old against Ireland in 2006.
CLICK HERE to read the full interview with Frans Steyn on the EWN Sport website.
