Vodacom Bulls forward, Gerhard Steenekamp has been called up to the Springboks on Wednesday morning. The 26-year-old front rower will join the national team in a training session at Loftus as preparations continue for the sold-out first test against Australia on Saturday 8 July.
Steenekamp will then travel in the evening to join the Springboks squad that has travelled ahead to begin preparations for the New Zealand test in round two of the 2023 Rugby Championship.
Springbok coach, Jacques Nienaber said: “This will be a fantastic opportunity for Gerhard to experience our systems and to be in the national set-up. He’s been impressive for the Vodacom Bulls this season and he’s a former Junior Springbok, so we are excited to see what he has to offer at training.”
Director of Rugby, Jake White congratulated Steenkamp on the call-up, noting that it is good to see hard work being rewarded.
“To get called up to the national setup is a wonderful opportunity for any rugby player who is patriotic about his country. Gerhard has consistently worked extremely hard over the past few seasons with us and this chance is a nice reward for him and all those around him,”
“I am proud of him! As the Vodacom Bulls, we will be cheering the team on.”