Bulls' Ruan Steenkamp agrees short-term PRO14 deal

Edinburgh have secured the signing of South African back row Ruan Steenkamp on a short-term deal from the Bulls Super Rugby side.

The 26-year-old former South African under-20 captain - who made 10 appearances in this season’s Super Rugby competition – joins the club subject to a medical and will provide cover during the World Cup in Japan.

Steenkamp, who has played both flanker and No8, was a key player as the Bulls this season reached the knockout stages of the competition for the first time since 2013.

On joining Edinburgh, Steenkamp, said: “I’m really honoured to join and can’t wait to link up with my new teammates. I know a lot about the club having spoken to the South African boys in Scotland.

“I’m hugely privileged to have been given the chance to represent such a historic side. This will be my first time travelling to Scotland, so I can’t wait to make the most of this opportunity while sampling a new and exciting rugby culture.”

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Coach Richard Cockerill added: “Ruan is a hard running and abrasive back row player that plays with a real edge. He has all the qualities that you look for in a flanker while his physicality brings a different dynamic to our pack. We’re really happy to have him on board.

“We will obviously be short-handed in the back row in the early stages of the season due to World Cup selection, so to have a player of Ruan’s quality adding depth to the squad is a real coup for the club.

“He has shown in both Super Rugby and the Currie Cup that he has the ability to turn a match in your favour – whether that is through his carrying or tenacity in defence - so we can’t wait to see what he’ll bring to this club.”

Edinburgh had been in line to snap up Kwagga Smith on a short-term deal but his inclusion by the Springboks in their World Cup squad scuppered that approach. 

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