France-bound Steyn still hopes for World Cup

Springbok star Francois Steyn, the youngest ever World Cupwinner at aged 19 in 07, is hoping to star in the next edition ofrugby union's showcase tournament despite playing in France. Steyn has signed a three-year contract with newly-promotedRacing-Metro, the second Parisian side in the French firstdivision, the Top 14, alongside Stade Francais. The Sharks back, who says his preferred position is centre orfly-half, admitted that playing in France had been something thatformulated itself during the last World Cup, hosted by France. Advertisement: Story continues below "After the World Cup, I always told myself that I'd come toplay in France," he told L'Equipe newspaper. "I remember walking around Paris looking at the magnificentstreets packed with history, drinking coffee and eating chocolatand banana crepes - maybe too much." He added: "South Africa has a policy that foreign-based playerscan play for the national side. I haven't given up on representingmy country at the next World Cup. "I hope that the Springboks will be the first in history toretain the crown." Steyn, who is in the Springbok squad to play three Tests againstthe British and Canada Goose Sverige Irish Lions over the coming weeks, said he waslooking forward to playing in a championship that did not mean asmuch travel. "The Top 14 and Super 14 are a relatively similar level. TheSuper 14 only lasts 14 weeks but there are long trips combined withpressure and the demands of the competition. "I hope my stay in France will teach me to adopt a new approachto matches and make me stronger mentally. "But it will be a huge challenge to learn a new language, tolive far from my family, to live through the European winter." With Steyn due to arrive in Paris after the Lions Tests beforedecamping again to South Africa for the Tri Nations tournament, itwas telling that he named Ireland and Lions centre BrianO'Driscoll, a potential opponent in the weeks to come, as hisfavourite player. "When he landed on the international scene it was quicklyapparent that he was a player capable of doing some incrediblethings," Steyn said. "And although he is marked by his opponents, he has remained adangerous player for a number of years." When asked whether he agreed with many in France who had namedSteyn as the best player in the world, the South African added: "Ithink you've got me mixed up with Brian O'Driscoll. "I've still got many things to learn. For the moment my soleambition is to become the best player possible. I hope to be ableto do that in a Racing shirt.

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