Currie Cup
Blue Bulls add Steenkamp
ESPNscrum Staff
July 27, 2011
The Cheetahs' Wilhelm Steenkamp takes a lineout, Reds v Cheetahs, Super Rugby, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, March 26, 2011
Steenkamp will be a ready made replacement for outgoing lock Bakkies Botha © Getty Images
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Teams: Bulls | South Africa

The Blue Bulls have announced the re-signing of lock Wilhelm Steenkamp in time for the 2012 Super Rugby season.

The second-row left the Bulls in 2010 to join Currie Cup rivals Free State Cheetahs in a bid to accrue more playing time. At the time Steenkamp faced competition for a place in the Bulls' second-row in the guise of Springbok duo Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.

But with Botha leaving for Toulon after the forthcoming World Cup - Steenkamp will have his chance to assert his case to the Bulls and potentially Springboks selectors.

"I am ecstatic to re-join the Bulls in 2012," Steenkamp said. "At the time, I had to leave Pretoria in order to get more playing opportunities.

"The Bulls had the most capped lock combination in the world in Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield playing for them and although it was great to learn and train with them, I felt that my game needed time on the pitch.

"I am grateful to the Cheetahs who provided me with the opportunity to play. I have grown as a player and a person while playing for the Cheetahs and I will never stop appreciating the influence they had on my career. I would like to thank them for that."

"I signed a professional contract with the Bulls straight out of school and have been with the side for a long time. My move to the Cheetahs was what was needed at the time, but I always knew that this is where I belong."

Steenkamp will arrive in Pretoria ahead of the 2012 Super Rugby season. The Bulls - following their 33-30 win over the Cheetahs on Saturday - will take on Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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