Prop Gerhard Steenekamp is relishing the opportunity to hone his craft as part of a formidable Springbok front row during his first end-of-year tour with the world champions.
The 10-Test Steenekamp has featured prominently for the Boks in 2024, after making his debut in the green and gold jumper against Argentina in Buenos Aires last year.
Last week’s victory for South Africa at Twickenham was special for Steenekamp, who was again a key member of the Bomb Squad pack that stood up to the England scrum during a convincing Bok victory.
Speaking in a Bok conference in Cardiff on Monday, the Vodacom Bulls powerhouse acknowledged his rapid growth on the Test stage during a maiden northern hemisphere trip.
On his first end-of-year tour to the UK, and what he has learned from the experience, Steenekamp told reporters: “It’s my first time being included in the end-of-year tour, and it’s been awesome. Every day, you just keep on learning and training with the best guys in the world.
“For me, it still feels like a dream but I’m trying to take in as much as I can and try to improve every day and put pressure on the guy ahead of me.”
Steenkamp, who transitioned from the back row to loosehead prop after high school, is now a regular in the Bok squad.
With Ox Nche the incumbent in the No 1 jersey while two-time World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff is sidelined with a serious neck injury, there’s an opportunity for Steenekamp to stake his claim.
There’s a shift in mindset that is required when joining the national team set-up, but the 27-year-old has embraced being a part of the Bok environment.
“The standard of every player in the squad is massively high, so the biggest thing for me is ensuring that I keep up … the chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so just try to make sure you’re not the weakest link,” Steenekamp said.
“Trying to get to [the same level] of where those players are and ensure you give something back to the team.”
Nche needed stitches to a cut to his knee after the Twickenham clash, so Steenekamp could make a rare start in the Boks’ season finale against Wales at Principality Stadium on Saturday.
Steenekamp copped a yellow card last week, following several team infringements, and added: “It’s never nice to let the team down but for me, it’s just to learn from the experience and make sure I’m better next week.”
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
