The Oakdale Bulle might have been soundly beaten 36-12 (29-0 just a one minute into the second half) on the Jan Kriel field by their in-form hosts Gim in Paarl on Saturday but one player really stood out as being the real deal – the big under-17 no.8 Erick Steyn.
Watch the footage:
Erick Steyn Try vs Paarl Gim 2023
A couple of season’s back, Oakdale’s Phillip Kleynhans was widely regarded as the best no.8 during the Covid shortened 2021 season in which Oakdale had a dream-team. Of that dream-team, Dian Heunis (prop), the possible player of the season 2021 Niel le Roux (scrumhalf) and Paul de Villiers (openside flank + captain) have all graduated to represent the Baby Boks and will be in action at the u20 World Rugby Championship in the Western Cape starting on 24 June 2023.
Last year AJ van Vuuren had a few eye-catching appearances at no.8 for Oakdale.
So a talented player at the back of the scrum is not foreign to the school for Riversdal.
However to get a CJ Stander likeness recognition, a boy has to be broad, powerful, strong on his feet, dominant with ball-in-hand in contact, an ever-present threat and forceful in defensive collisions as well, not to mention plenty of heart as well.
All these elements are stacking up in favour of young Erick. He is an “Yster” playing kookwater rugby at the moment.
The 2024 SBR season will perhaps provide an even better indicator of how much potential but as things stand his future in rugby is looking very bright. He will be in action for SWD at Craven Week in George in a few weeks time.
Erick’s older brother Marco (u19) captain’s the team from loosehead prop and is standout player himself. Under different circumstances he would have been up against Gim’s own Marco Steyn, a slim built lock who punches well above his weight and earned a well-deserved selection which will see him participate at Craven Week at the start of July 2023. The Gim Marco however did not play.
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