Munster mentor Van Graan waxes lyrical over evergreen Morne Steyn: 'He deserves all his respect'

Munster coach Johann van Graan singled out Morne Steyn's "humility" as the key to him remaining one of the best flyhalves on show in the United Rugby Championship.

The former Springbok assistant coach has had a long association with the evergreen Bulls pivot, joining the union as junior coach in 2003 along with Steyn, who had made the trek from Bloemfontein after matriculating.    

Both men, who are "good friends", were key figures in the Bulls rise between 2004 and 2010 before reuniting at national level when Heyneke Meyer was appointed as Bok coach.

"His greatest quality as a human being and rugby player is his humility," said Van Graan, whose charges get their first taste of Loftus on Saturday.

"To achieve what he has at 38 (is amazing). He's in tip-top condition still. I actually bumped into him at a coffee shop outside our hotel and he's in phenomenal shape."

Steyn had been missing from the Bulls team for the past three weeks after serving a suspension for a high tackle on Sharks and Boks ace Lukhanyo Am during a URC derby last month.

His availability is a massive boost for Bulls mentor Jake White, who'll be keen for his charges to build on the platform laid by a comprehensive 45-7 win over Zebre in Parma following an inconsistent run against local opponents.

Van Graan praised the franchise's willingness to back the veteran after he returned from a six-year stint in France in late 2019, a decision that would prove to have striking ramifications.

Steyn was instrumental in leading the Bulls to the Super Rugby Unlocked and 2020/21 Currie Cup titles - White's first two competitions in charge - and then memorably slotted the penalty that clinched a gritty series win for the Springboks over the British & Irish Lions.

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