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Bloemfontein - The Cheetahs have snapped up the signature of Emerging Springbok lock Wilhelm Steenkamp from the Blue Bulls.
Steenkamp, who has had some bad luck this year despite playing good rugby whenever he was on the field, has been deemed surplus to the Bulls rather extensive requirements for next season, and he has signed for the Cheetahs on a one-year contract.
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske confirmed the signature to SuperSport.com on Monday, saying he was happy with his latest purchase.
“We believe he is a talented player, and will really fit in well here. We’re really looking forward to getting him into the side,” Drotske told SuperSport.com “We’ve signed him on a one-year contract and we will see then.”
Blue Bulls High Performance Manager Ian Schwartz said he had not confirmed the loss of Steenkamp just yet, but acknowledged he was on his way out at the Bulls.
“I have heard it, but nothing official has come through. Wilhelm is a great player, but we didn’t offer him a contract for the coming season because we have four Springbok locks and recently signed Fudge Mabeta and Juandré Kruger on new contracts,” Schwartz told SuperSport.com.
Steenkamp was unhappy at his sudden fall from grace from being first choice behind Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha and Danie Rossouw to suddenly not being able to command a place in the Currie Cup team on a regular basis now that they are on Bok duty.
Steenkamp’s decline came when he was loaned to the Sharks in the Super 14, after being the Emerging Springbok lock in last year’s win over the British and Irish Lions in Cape Town.
The Sharks didn’t give him much game time, and on returning Flip van der Merwe, a player once behind him in the queue, had become a Springbok.
The Bulls have also consistently chosen Kruger and Mabeta ahead of Steenkamp in this year’s Currie Cup.
Ironically, Steenkamp’s younger brother De Kock saw more Super 14 action than him at the Stormers before getting injured.
“He may have been a bit unhappy at not getting game time, as any player would probably be,” Schwartz added.
“But he has been magnificent in his work ethic. He has certainly been professional in his outlook and has given his all on the field, and his performances proves that.”
There was some talk that Steenkamp would join the Cheetahs for the remainer of the Currie Cup, but Schwartz says no formal request was received.
However Drotske did confirm this, saying agreement could not be reached on a date for his release.
SuperSport.com understands the Cheetahs asked for him immediately, but the Blue Bulls would only release him on September 9, after Bakkies Botha serves out his suspension. When Botha returns to Currie Cup action, as is likely, Steenkamp will be the fourth lock in a squad that can only play three at any time.
Steenkamp, who has had some bad luck this year despite playing good rugby whenever he was on the field, has been deemed surplus to the Bulls rather extensive requirements for next season, and he has signed for the Cheetahs on a one-year contract.
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske confirmed the signature to SuperSport.com on Monday, saying he was happy with his latest purchase.
“We believe he is a talented player, and will really fit in well here. We’re really looking forward to getting him into the side,” Drotske told SuperSport.com “We’ve signed him on a one-year contract and we will see then.”
Blue Bulls High Performance Manager Ian Schwartz said he had not confirmed the loss of Steenkamp just yet, but acknowledged he was on his way out at the Bulls.
“I have heard it, but nothing official has come through. Wilhelm is a great player, but we didn’t offer him a contract for the coming season because we have four Springbok locks and recently signed Fudge Mabeta and Juandré Kruger on new contracts,” Schwartz told SuperSport.com.
Steenkamp was unhappy at his sudden fall from grace from being first choice behind Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha and Danie Rossouw to suddenly not being able to command a place in the Currie Cup team on a regular basis now that they are on Bok duty.
Steenkamp’s decline came when he was loaned to the Sharks in the Super 14, after being the Emerging Springbok lock in last year’s win over the British and Irish Lions in Cape Town.
The Sharks didn’t give him much game time, and on returning Flip van der Merwe, a player once behind him in the queue, had become a Springbok.
The Bulls have also consistently chosen Kruger and Mabeta ahead of Steenkamp in this year’s Currie Cup.
Ironically, Steenkamp’s younger brother De Kock saw more Super 14 action than him at the Stormers before getting injured.
“He may have been a bit unhappy at not getting game time, as any player would probably be,” Schwartz added.
“But he has been magnificent in his work ethic. He has certainly been professional in his outlook and has given his all on the field, and his performances proves that.”
There was some talk that Steenkamp would join the Cheetahs for the remainer of the Currie Cup, but Schwartz says no formal request was received.
However Drotske did confirm this, saying agreement could not be reached on a date for his release.
SuperSport.com understands the Cheetahs asked for him immediately, but the Blue Bulls would only release him on September 9, after Bakkies Botha serves out his suspension. When Botha returns to Currie Cup action, as is likely, Steenkamp will be the fourth lock in a squad that can only play three at any time.
