When Steenkamp delivered the greatest performance of his career, against the Wallabies at Ellis Park in 2005, the Bok number one jersey seemed to have found a new owner.

However the loosehead prop broke his hand at the end of the Tri-Nations that season and only returned to the national team in 2007.

Having made a name for himself with the Cheetahs, Steenkamp signed with the Bulls at the end of 2005, but only played five matches for them over the next two seasons after damaging his hand again.

So it was with some relief that Steenkamp returned to the Bulls set-up last year for the Super 14 and hasn't looked back since - even starting several Tests again in 2008.