The spearhead of the South African bowling attack, posted a video on his Instagram account showing him and a friend thinking they were coming to the aid of a stricken, harmless Brown House snake on an isolated road in the Kruger National Park.
On closer inspection, the 32-year-old Steyn then realised he was just inches away from a deadly Black Mamba.
Steyn, the veteran of 82 Tests and 112 one-day internationals, is currently sitting out the limited overs series against England.