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Steyn's canvassing counts for nought as Montpellier keep du Plessis

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

World Cup winner Bismarck du Plessis has opted to stay with Montpellier rather than head home to South Africa and join the Cheetahs as was hoped by his former club and country colleague, Frans Steyn. Midfielder Steyn had told RugbyPass that the Bloemfontein-based Guinness PRO14 outfit had ambitions that the 2007 final-winning Springboks hooker could be tempted back south of the equator following five seasons in the French Top 14. 

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However, despite making his name during his eleven seasons at the Durban-based Sharks,  du Plessis has decided that his future is best served by remaining in France under new club boss Philippe Saint-Andre rather than plump for a late-career swansong at the Cheetahs.

In a statement released by the French club ahead of the hooker’s 36th birthday on May 22, Montpellier said: ‘We announce the extension of Bismarck du Plessis’ contract for two more seasons. Having arrived in 2015, the world champion hooker has played 90 times in the Montpellier colours, establishing himself as one of the spearheads of the pack. He is now linked with Montpellier until 2022. 

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Steyn had been lobbying du Plessis in the belief that more old titans with experience of playing in Europe can make the crucial difference in making the Cheetahs more competitive in the PRO14.

“We need to win something,” said Steyn to RugbyPass. “I’m not going there just to roll over and die. We need to build something special, something that can last a long time. I played there when I was younger and it’s very close to my heart.

“I’m trying to get players to go back there, some of the older players. The money is the issue, but it will be good if we can get a Bismarck to come and help. The Cheetahs are playing against Leinster and Munster, a lot of international players, and you need quality and experience to win competitions.”

 

 

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people on podcasts criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section. There seems to be a whole department dedicated to Ireland’s world ranking news.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting decent airtime. But for the rest and the above; it’s just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section. People like Finn (who I believe is a RP contributor).


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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