CT connection coming home to roost
The Western Force's South African connection is well documented, but on Saturday their Cape Town 'branch' will come home to roost.
Wilhelm Steenkamp, a born and bred Western Cape lock, is one of eight South African players in the greater Force squad.
And while he has tread his own path – via the Cheetahs and Bulls – to Perth, other players with Cape Town connections were recruited more directly by the Force's South African coaching contingent.
Addressing a media briefing ahead of the Force's Round 14 Super Rugby showdown with the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday, the 29-year-old second row forward said Perth is now his home, even though it is good to see his family and friends in the Western Cape again.
"However, we are here to do a job and that is play against the Stormers," said the elder brother of injured Stormers lock De Kock Steenkamp.
"I am enjoying Perth, the Force is a close-knit and settled group," the elder of the Steenkamp brothers told the media, adding: "The lifestyle in Perth is very similar to South Africa."
Asked about the large number of South African players in the Force set-up, he pointed to a couple of members of the coaching staff with their roots deeply set in Cape Town.
"Dave Wessels and Kevin Foote, who are part of the coaching set-up, played a huge role in getting guys to Perth, especially those from Cape Town – players like Marcell Brache, Francois van Wyk and Chris Heiberg," Steenkamp said of the teams's senior assistant and defence coach (Wessels) and backline Mentor (Foote).
And while they can rely on a culture very similar to home, in a city that is regarded as an 'enclave' of South Africa Down Under, the South African coaching influence has also played a big role in lifting the Force from a struggling entity to genuine play-off contenders in 2014.
Steenkamp said their success, based on a very sound defensive system, requires a great team effort.
"Defence only works when everybody buys into the system," he said, adding: "There is a great vibe, the guys are playing for each other and we are getting the results.
"A lot [of credit] must go to [defence coach] Dave Wessels, for the structures and systems he has put in place and the guys have been showing some real character."
The Force lock, who will play off the bench at Newlands, said he moved to Perth because he wanted to play Super Rugby.
"It is a great competition, because you compete against the best in the world every weekend – that was one of the main reasons.
"I also enjoy playing under [head coach Michael] Foley."
He added that you also can't compare the lifestyles of the guys who head to France to those playing in Perth, which is very much like South Africa.
And getting game team means he can keep his Bok dreams alive.
"I come from here [the Western Cape]," the former Paarl Boys High scholar said.
"To represent the Springboks is something that will always be a dream. I am contracted there [Western Force} for three years and after that I will look at the situation again.
"If [Bok coach] Heyneke [Meyer] looks at me, it will be great. However, at the moment my focus is only on the Force."
He said his move to Perth did not necessary make him a better player.
"I am getting game time," he said, adding: "Every player can improve if you play.
"You don't get better by holding tackle nags during the week and Saturday you watch the game from your couch.
"The Force have a great coaching set-up with Michael Foley, Dave Wessels and Kevin Foote and I am enjoying my rugby."
