Pretoria - Bulls and Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn has agreed to leave the Pretoria Super Rugby franchise and join French Top 14 club, Stade Francais.

Steyn, who has 97 Super Rugby caps to his name, has signed a three-year contract with the club, according to the Super XV website.

Ironically, after an indifferent 2012 season during which he was replaced as Springbok No 10 by Pat Lambie and Johan Goosen, before falling behind Elton Jantjies in the pecking order, Steyn appears to have turned a corner this season - while Goosen and Jantjies have struggled to find form.

Steyn will leave the Bulls after the 2013 Currie Cup season.

The Blue Bulls company which runs and owns the Bulls Super Rugby franchise is expected to confirm the announcement later on Monday. 

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.

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