Steenkamp to 'make a big impression'
Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:16
Reaching new heights: Wilhelm Steenkamp. (c) Gallo
Wilhelm Steenkamp is determined to 'make a big impression' at the Free State Cheetahs when he joins the Bloemfontein-based side at the end of the Currie Cup season.
Steenkamp, in revealing why he is bucking the trend and moving from Gauteng to the Free State, said the need for regular game time in Super Rugby was the major driving force behind the shift.
The 25-year-old lock, Steenkamp, began his career with the Blue Bulls in 2004, playing in their Under-20 side.
A year later the impressive second row forward graduated into the Vodacom Cup squad. In 2006 he represented South Africa at the IRB Under-21 World Cup and in 2007 he toured with the Emerging Springboks side and represented the Blue Bulls in the Super 14.
Steenkamp admitted it was not an easy decision for him to leave Loftus Versfeld, but he is excited to make a move which, he believes, is the right one for his career.
"Leaving the Bulls was a tough call which I had to make," he said.
"For my career at the moment it is the best thing I could have done. I've been very happy in Pretoria, I'm settled, but I'm looking forward to joining the Cheetahs.
"They are a good side, with great players like Juan Smith and others, and I'm looking forward to playing a big part in the Super 15 - a new competition and a new city, it will be exciting."
He made it clear that regular game time was the only way to advance his career.
"Moving to the Cheetahs will give me the opportunity to hopefully have more time on the pitch and to make my mark."
Steenkamp was on the bench for the Bulls in their impressive 40-34 win over the Sharks at the weekend and, coming on in the second half, helped the defending champions upstage the table-topping Sharks.
While he will, of course, miss being a Bull, the Emerging Springbok is eager to make his mark as a Cheetah in 2011.
"I'm going to be working very hard in the off-season," he insisted.
"Joining a new side and playing Super 15, I want to make a huge impression next year, give my best and, of course, get lots of game time."
Powerful, athletic and a natural leader, the two-metre tall Steenkamp will undoubtedly be a great addition to Naka Drotské's squad.
Adding his experience and skill to a pack already boasting names such as Smith, Heinrich Brüssow and Adriaan Strauss, the Cheetahs will certainly be no pushovers up front when the revamped Super Rugby competition kicks-off next February.
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