A few months later - June 16, 2007 to be exact - and no longer a starting player, he came off the bench late in the match and slotted two excellent drop-goals (one from the right-hand touchline) to beat the Wallabies at Newlands.
Then, just over four months later, having replaced star man Jean de Villiers in the No.12 shirt after just one game at the 2007 RWC, he started the World Cup Final on October 20, 2007 - despite not yet being 21 years old.
His response to his latest, and no doubt biggest, challenge?
He coolly 'chipped' over a long-range penalty to put his team 15-6 up, and more than a converted try ahead of England, with time running out in Paris.
As things stand now - ahead of Saturday's first Test - he has not played a game of rugby since picking up a knee injury against the Highlanders on May 2 and he last started a Test in the No.15 shirt in June 2007.
But with that kind of track record, and with a most 'un-South African' penchant for going against the grain, who would bet against him doing something special against the Lions this Saturday?
Yet, despite all this fuss over him, and his selection at fullback, Steyn remains non-plussed. He does, however, have a slight soft spot when it comes to the prospect of taking on the world famous Lions.
Selected at full back this Saturday, Frans Steyn is the Boks' Mr Versatile
"It's just a big honour to have been selected to play against them," said Steyn this week. "To me, it wouldn't matter where I play… Just playing against them will be a special moment.
"People will point out that I haven't played a lot at fullback lately, and that's fair enough I guess, but I'm looking forward to the challenge and hopefully everything will work out."
When pressed about that all-too-crucial fullback position, Steyn explained: "Bryan (Habana) and JP (Pietersen) both played on the wing in the 2007 World Cup - they will make things easier for me and then there's (scrumhalf) Fourie du Preez, who drops back to help you no matter where you are. Guys like that make it so easy for you - especially at fullback."
One man that will not make it easy for Steyn is the eventually annointed Lions No.10. Welshman Stephen Jones and then possibly replacement fly-half Ronan O'Gara are bound to pepper the now 22-year-old Steyn with the odd high ball and a few raking touch-finders.
Again, the man of the moment remains unfazed by the challenges ahead, preferring, instead, to thank others.
"I'm just happy to over my injuries and back on the field," said Steyn, "and for that I must thank the Lord above.
"As I said, it's a big honour to be playing against the Lions. Hopefully we, as a team, can take the opportunity with both hands and make it a memorable day for everyone involved in the team."
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