Steenkamp Given Top 14 Lifeline

Former Springbok prop Gurthro Steenkamp has joined Stade Francais as a medical joker ahead of the 2017-18 Top 14 season.

Following the injury to fellow countryman Heinke van der Merwe, the Parisians chose to sign the experienced front-rower for the duration of his absence.

The 53-Test cap prop spent 6 seasons at Toulouse before his contract expired at the end of the 2016-17 season.

' [Steenkamp] will be able to train with us on Monday and will be available for the first match of the Top 14 at home to Lyon on Saturday ', Stade stated in a press release today.

#OFFICIEL Le pilier sud-africain @gurthro Steenkamp rejoint Paris en tant que joker médical. Bienvenue à lui ⚡️⚡️⚡️ #WelcomeGurthro #SFParis pic.twitter.com/G4Ve31waXY

— Stade Français Paris (@SFParisRugby) August 21, 2017