Vodacom Bulls’ prop, Gurthro Steenkamp, forced out of Super XV due to an arm injury – Super Rugby
Defending Super Rugby champions suffered a major blow when their first choice front row forward, Gurthro Steenkamp, was ruled out for the rest of the games of the Super XV.
Bulls’ doctor confirmed the news earlier today. Last week, Bulls won their game against the Chiefs at Pretoria to keep their Super XV playoff hopes alive.
Gurthro Steenkamp suffered from an arm injury during Bulls’ round five encounter of the Super XV. Bulls were hosting Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, March 19, 2011. He has been sidelined from the Bulls’ squad since then while the doctors conducted
his diagnosis.
The match against Stormers turned out to be his last for the franchise as he has already signed a deal with the French Top 14, Toulouse, and will join the French club after the Rugby World Cup 2011.
Bulls’ team doctor, Org Strauss, has confirmed that the 29-year-old prop will miss the rest of the Super XV since his arm is recovering slower than expected. The news came when Gurthro Steenkamp made a follow up visit to his specialist with Strauss.
Steenkamp joined Bulls in 2004 after playing for Cheetahs for two years. He earned a place in the Springboks in 2004 and 2005 Tri Nations Series, a breakthrough for his career. He played an important role in the 2007 RWC that Springboks won.
His performance on field has helped him earn the South African Player of the Year award for the year 2010.
Springboks’ tight schedule for the rest of the year is one the main reasons to drop Gurthro Steenkamp from the Bulls’ squad for the rest of their season.
Springboks will play Tri Nation Series which will followed by their campaign to defend their rugby world cup.
Bulls is currently striving to ensure their place in the Super XV playoffs after a poor month in Super XV. They will undoubtedly miss Steenkamp's experience at the forward line.
Bulls’ coach, Frans Ludeke, acknowledged his skills and experience but he was confident that Bulls has the players to cover for Steenkamp's absence.
Dean Greyling will continue as the prop in the rest of the season that will give Steenkamp enough time to recover from his injury. Steenkamp is pivotal for the Springboks 2011 rugby world cup outfit. Springboks will go all out to defend their title.
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