Bulls confirm Steyn move to Stade Francais

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) –

South Africa’s Springbok fly-half Morne Steyn scores a try during the 2011 Rugby World Cup match against Namibia in Auckland on September 22, 2011. Northern Bulls confirmed that star fly-half Morne Steyn will join French club Stade Francais at the end of October on a three-year contract.

Northern Bulls confirmed Monday that star fly-half Morne Steyn will join French club Stade Francais at the end of October on a three-year contract.

His agent told AFP last January that the former Springbok playmaker would be moving to Paris and a Bulls statement said Steyn will head to the French capital after playing in the Super 15 and Currie Cup competitions.

“The opportunity to join Stade comes at the right time in my career. I have always wanted to play some rugby abroad and experience a different lifestyle,” said Steyn.

“I have invested so much of my life with the Bulls so it was a very tough decision to make. I owe everything I achieved in rugby to them but the chance to join Stade comes at the right time in my career.”

Bulls head coach Frans Ludeke said: “Morne will be missed as he is a world class player but I know that he will be giving 110 percent till the end of his contract.”

Among the leading goal kickers in the world for several seasons, 29-year-old Steyn suffered a serious slump last year and lost his place in the Springboks team to Johan Goosen.

But he has shown a return to form in early Super 15 action, scoring 21 points against Western Stormers in the opening round and 20 last Saturday against Western Force to be joint leading points scorer in the competition.