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Pretoria - The Blue Bulls Company has confirmed that flyhalf Morne Steyn will be leaving Pretoria for Paris at the end of the 2013 season.
Steyn has decided to take up an offer from Stade Francais in France and will join them until June 2016, but will see out his contract with the BBC, which expires on October 31, 2013.
Steyn, 28, is likely to see our the remainder of his career in France.
Steyn was contracted to the BBC since 2003 and has decided to broaden his horizons after a decade with the Bulls which saw him win numerous titles at Super Rugby, Currie Cup, Vodacom Cup and junior levels.
As a Bulls player, Steyn was also picked as a Springbok and to date, has played in 42 Test matches, scoring 486 points.
According to Steyn, it was time for a change.
“I have invested so much of my life with the Bulls, so it was a very tough decision to make. I basically owe everything I achieved in rugby to them, but the opportunity to join Stade comes at the right time in my career. I always wanted to play some rugby abroad and experience a different lifestyle and now have the opportunity to go and do that,” said Steyn.
“They have been negotiating with me for a while now and I have decided not to accept the offer from the BBC to extend my contract, but rather join Stade.”
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke gave Steyn his blessing.
“I don’t think anyone can doubt or question the loyalty that Morne has shown to us. He has given everything he had for 10 years now and one cannot fault his decision to expand his horizons. We will forever be grateful to have a player like that in our generation and can only wish him the best. He will be missed as he is a world class player, but I know that he will still be giving us 110% till the end of his term.”
BBC High Performance Manager Xander Janse van Rensburg confirmed that they offered Steyn an extension to his contract, but could not match the lucrative French offer
“Morne also indicated to us that he will use the remainder of his time here to mentor our junior crop of flyhalves coming through, which is something we are very pleased about.”
Steyn will join current Bulls and Springbok team-mate Juandre Kruger in France next season. Kruger has signed for Racing Metro and will leave at the end of the Super Rugby season.
Stade Francais are currently languishing in ninth spot in the Top 14 standings.
Steyn will join fellow South Africans Michael van Vuuren (hooker), Gerhard Mostert (lock) and Anton van Zyl (lock) on Stade Francais' books.
Steyn has decided to take up an offer from Stade Francais in France and will join them until June 2016, but will see out his contract with the BBC, which expires on October 31, 2013.
Steyn, 28, is likely to see our the remainder of his career in France.
Steyn was contracted to the BBC since 2003 and has decided to broaden his horizons after a decade with the Bulls which saw him win numerous titles at Super Rugby, Currie Cup, Vodacom Cup and junior levels.
As a Bulls player, Steyn was also picked as a Springbok and to date, has played in 42 Test matches, scoring 486 points.
According to Steyn, it was time for a change.
“I have invested so much of my life with the Bulls, so it was a very tough decision to make. I basically owe everything I achieved in rugby to them, but the opportunity to join Stade comes at the right time in my career. I always wanted to play some rugby abroad and experience a different lifestyle and now have the opportunity to go and do that,” said Steyn.
“They have been negotiating with me for a while now and I have decided not to accept the offer from the BBC to extend my contract, but rather join Stade.”
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke gave Steyn his blessing.
“I don’t think anyone can doubt or question the loyalty that Morne has shown to us. He has given everything he had for 10 years now and one cannot fault his decision to expand his horizons. We will forever be grateful to have a player like that in our generation and can only wish him the best. He will be missed as he is a world class player, but I know that he will still be giving us 110% till the end of his term.”
BBC High Performance Manager Xander Janse van Rensburg confirmed that they offered Steyn an extension to his contract, but could not match the lucrative French offer
“Morne also indicated to us that he will use the remainder of his time here to mentor our junior crop of flyhalves coming through, which is something we are very pleased about.”
Steyn will join current Bulls and Springbok team-mate Juandre Kruger in France next season. Kruger has signed for Racing Metro and will leave at the end of the Super Rugby season.
Stade Francais are currently languishing in ninth spot in the Top 14 standings.
Steyn will join fellow South Africans Michael van Vuuren (hooker), Gerhard Mostert (lock) and Anton van Zyl (lock) on Stade Francais' books.
