Morné Steyn believes the Lions can upset Leinster in the URC quarter‑final
South African fly‑half turned assistant coach Morné Steyn knows what it feels like to be written off. After a playing career that included two Currie Cup titles with the Bulls, a Springbok debut and a memorable last‑minute penalty against the British & Irish Lions, Steyn now helps guide the Johannesburg Lions as they prepare for their first ever United Rugby Championship (URC) playoff appearance.
The underdog mindset
Steyn points out that the Lions enter the Dublin clash as clear underdogs.
“It won’t be easy to beat Leinster at home and we have to do our best to win. But we saw in the Champions Cup final that there is a chance now.”
— Morné Steyn
He believes the “nobody gives us a chance” narrative is a familiar motivator for South African sides.
“You can never write off a South African,” Steyn adds, echoing a sentiment that has helped the Bulls, Sharks and Springboks pull off surprise victories in the past.
Experience from past victories
Steyn’s own history gives the Lions a concrete blueprint for success.
- As a player, he was part of the Bulls squad that knocked Leinster out of the 2021‑22 URC semi‑final in Dublin, winning 27‑24.[1]
- He also scored the decisive penalty for the Springboks in the 2009 Test series against the British & Irish Lions, securing a 2‑1 series win.[2]
Those experiences taught him that big occasions are won by staying focused on the fundamentals rather than the magnitude of the event.
“In my career I’ve always treated every game like another game, whether it was a league game or a final,” Steyn says. “That’s why I advise the Lions not to make the playoff bigger than it is.”
Preparation and youth development
The Lions’ Round 17 encounter with Leinster in early May – a 31‑7 loss – provided valuable exposure for the squad’s younger players.
Steyn highlights the emergence of 22‑year‑old wing Sibabalwe Mahashe, who made his first start in front of a packed Dublin crowd.
“It was a big thing for them. Now that the quarter‑finals are coming up, I can see these young guys are excited. It’s their first time being part of this senior team and it’s more of a challenge for them.”
— Morné Steyn
Such match‑day experience, according to Steyn, is building the resilience needed to compete against a Leinster side that, despite its recent Champions Cup final loss to Bordeaux, remains a formidable opponent.[3]
Keeping the game simple
Steyn’s final piece of advice is straightforward: trust the process, execute the basics, and let the ball take its natural course.
“We all know it. This ball isn’t round – it can bounce in any direction. You just never know.”
By treating the quarter‑final as another opportunity to express talent, the Lions aim to turn the “outsider” label into a source of motivation, just as Steyn has done throughout his career.
References
- [1] United Rugby Championship. “Bulls defeat Leinster in URC semi‑final.” 2022. unionrugby.com
- [2] SA Rugby. “Morné Steyn career statistics.” 2023. sarugby.co.za
- [3] BBC Sport. “Bordeaux beat Leinster to win Champions Cup final.” 13 May 2024. bbc.com/sport
