Ace Bulls lock Steenkamp bids Pretoria farewell as Japan calls

Bulls lock Walt Steenkamp will leave the Pretoria-based side after his contract with the United Rugby Championship (URC) finalists expired.

The 27-year-old made 57 appearances for Jake White's team after signing in 2020, and had formed a stupendous working relationship with fellow lock Ruan Nortje.

As recently as last month, White was hoping to convince Steenkamp not to rubber stamp his move to Japan, but, it seems after the Sharks game at the end of October, all has been said and done. 

"My time at Loftus has been nothing short of amazing, working with an incredible coaching team, thank you to coach Jake for all that he has done for me and my career. I have also been very fortunate to call an incredible group of players my colleagues," said Steenkamp.

"Luckily I got to say my goodbyes on home ground because my last game should have been against Benetton but when that was extended to the end of the first part of the United Rugby Championship, it meant I could have a farewell in front of our Bulls family. The fact that we went on to win against the Sharks was the cherry on top."

For White, this is not goodbye, but rather a 'see you later':

Steenkamp's fondness for the Bulls, he says, will shine bright when he arrives at his new destination.

"I may be going away but I will be following closely as the team progresses in the competition, I will be supporting them from the other side and I do have a belief that they have what it takes to win not only the United Rugby Championship but all the other competitions as well because this is a special group of players, with immense talent. Go Bulls!"