Dale Steyn doesn’t like to tour without his partner Jeanne Kietzmann

An international sportsman’s life is usually thrilling and filled with a lot of luxuries, but no one can deny the fact that it is a very difficult life, spending half the time away from family. The gruelling schedule also makes it difficult for the partner as well. A classic recent example was Indian ODI skipper MS Dhoni, who couldn’t be with his wife during the last stages of her pregnancy and missed the birth of his first child.

For a woman, it is quite not easy to be involved with a sportsman, as the latter stays away for a very long period of time. South African premium pacer Dale Steyn also believes that staying away is difficult for women.

“I think it’s really difficult for women to be involved with sportsmen who travel, or men to be involved with men or women, whoever it may be. I am not worried about that sexist thing,” said Steyn in a report from Mid-Day.

“It’s really tough. You’re spending a big chunk of your life away from home, never quite sure whether you’re coming or going,” he added.

Being a fast bowler, injuries has rarely come as an obstacle for Steyn, who now ranks fourth in the One-Day International (ODI) rankings.

“What I have decided now is that when I am going to these tours I’ll bring people over. So I have had family come to India before. My ex-girlfriend used to travel a lot with me,” Steyn answered when asked about his ways of coping up solitude.

“At the moment, I have got my partner — Jeanne Kietzmann who’s with me. And one of my best friends is here too, so the two of them keep themselves occupied when I’m busy at training or on the cricket field,” said the 31-year old pacer who is currently in India playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eighth edition of Indian Premier League (IPL).

Since 2007, the Steyn is dating the blonde Kietzmann and the latter has proved to be his lady luck as the pacer is considered to be one of the finest bowlers in the world.