Force grab emerging Springbok

[GAFFA]

Western Force have snared powerful and experienced South African second-rower Wilhelm Steenkamp from the Bulls.

The emerging Springbok has played more than 50 Super Rugby games with the Bulls, Cheetahs and Sharks, as well as 85 provincial matches.

The club is expected to announce his signing today.

Steenkamp has represented South Africa and, therefore, would become a marquee player.

He is understood to be the first of a trio of South Africans headed to the Force next season.

They are waiting for the signatures of tighthead prop Chris Hei- berg and centre/full-back Marcel Brache, who have both been members of Stormers Super squads. The Force have been able to sign Steenkamp, 28, because the Australian Rugby Union has relaxed restrictions on the number of overseas players that the club can sign for next season.

They can field two marquee and six development players who would become eligible for the Wallabies, an increase from one marquee and two development players.

The Force have about 10 players off contract and have made no secret that they have been looking for a powerful second-rower.

The older brother of Stormers second-rower De Kock, Steenkamp joined the Bulls on a contract straight from school and made his Super Rugby debut in 2008.

The 200cm and 110kg Steenkamp left the Bulls for the Cheetahs in 2010 to get more game time after being trapped behind the pairing of Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.

He was ruled out of the first few weeks of this Super season with a shoulder injury and has had limited game time with players such as Springbok Flip van der Merwe ahead of him.

The Force have been using their defence consultants David Wessels and Kevin Foote as talent scouts, tapping into their knowledge of South African rugby.

Wessels joined the Force this season after two years with the Stormers and a season at the Brumbies.

When Wessels returned to South Africa, former Springboks sevens captain Foote took over.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ing-springbok/

[UNCLE BOOG]

word to the wise, dont google image search "Willhelm", unless youre female and most definitely not at work!

[DinkyDi]

Very good acquisition. Big strong no nonsense lock to partner MMM. A step in the right direction.

[Ralto]

word to the wise, dont google image search "Willhelm", unless youre female and most definitely not at work!

A little, older than the usual development player, but hey, I'll give it a go.
Otherwise, I aee what you mean - Whoaaaahhh.

[Muddly]

A little, older than the usual development player, but hey, I'll give it a go.

Marquee not development

[PeterM]

Happy days looks like the force mean business can't wait to see all the new players out there on the NIB next season.

[hertryk]

not a kicker then.... Hmmmmmm!!!

[Chopper1]

We will have one when JO'C returns......

[GAFFA]

We will have one when JO'C returns......

is that a wish or do you know something?

Plus we have a kicker in Holmes aswell as Prior of the bench.

[tdevil]

We will have one when JO'C returns......

Not gonna happen mate

[andrewg]

Impressed by the signings to date...Zac Holmes & Dane Haylett-Petty (welcome back), Ian Prior, Wilhelm Sttenkamp (200cm;110kg) plus Chris Heiberg (183cm;115kg) & Marcel Brache still to come.
Wish we'd stop the announcements BEFORE we get the signatures. Have we learnt nothing from the Genia non-deal.
Also like the increased pool approved by the ARU.
GO YOU FORCE!!
Let's try cm not mm :-S
AND Luke Morahan (Thnx Uncle Boog)

[UNCLE BOOG]

(and morohan)

[blueandblack]

Impressed by the signings to date...Zac Holmes & Dane Haylett-Petty (welcome back), Ian Prior, Wilhelm Sttenkamp (220mm;110kg) plus Chris Heiberg (183mm;115kg) & Marcel Brache still to come.
Wish we'd stop the announcements BEFORE we get the signatures. Have we learnt nothing from the Genia non-deal.
Also like the increased pool approved by the ARU.
GO YOU FORCE!!

220 millimetres and 110 kilograms? wow.

or do you mean 220cm?

[jargan83]

Wish we'd stop the announcements BEFORE we get the signatures. Have we learnt nothing from the Genia non-deal.

RugbyWA did not make this annoucement and the article clearly states that RugbyWA are going to make an annoucement regarding this this afternoon

[GIGS20]

220 millimetres and 110 kilograms? wow.

or do you mean 220cm?

nope, he's just VERY stocky!