VIDEO: The most productive 'fishing expedition'
Gerhardus Cornelis Steenekamp was on a ‘fishing expedition’ in Dullstroom when the phone call came for him to report to the Springbok training camp.
The 26-year-old Bulls prop, who played No.8 at school, Potchefstroom Gimnasium, before converting to the front row, admitted he was caught by surprise with his call-up.
He was enjoying a holiday in a part of the country that is known as the ‘fly fishing capital of South Africa’, Dullstroom – which features an array of fully-stocked dams and lakes, most notably, rainbow trout and brown trout.
Steenekamp, who has progressed through the South African ranks in the past few seasons – after representing the Junior Springboks – and making a strong statement for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship, is the only uncapped player in the 23-man matchday squad to face Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
Should he come off the bench, as expected, he will become Springbok No.933.
He said it is not easy to put his emotions in words.
* (WATCH as Gerhardus Cornelis Steenekamp speaks about his call-up to the Springbok team and his first potential cap...)
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” he told a media briefing, after being named on the bench for Saturday’s World Cup warm-up match against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
Should he take to the field, he will make his Bok debut.
“I am very excited about the opportunity and will look to grab it with both hands,” he said.
He said he often thought that ‘maybe next year’ the big break will come, so he had no real expectations for 2023.
“When I got the phone call, I was on holiday in Dullstroom – fishing.
“Your opportunities come at different times.
“It is not a perfect world and when you get the opportunity you must use it.
“You can’t say I will wait till the time is right.”
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