WJ Steenkamp

At the Lions, one of South Africa's traditional rugby franchises, WJ Steenkamp is part of a generation of forwards being handed opportunities to grow. Born on 28 September 2000 and listed as a flanker, his contribution is built around defensive work rate and contesting the tackle area, qualities that suit the high-tempo, attacking style the Johannesburg side has favoured in recent years. South African forward play prizes physical confrontation, and Steenkamp carries that mindset into every shift, looking to assert himself at the contact zone and slow opposition ball. His current role is to add depth and competition to the loose-forward rotation while refining the finer points of his game, breakdown timing, lineout reading, and the discipline that turns effort into reliable output. Playing in the United Rugby Championship and the franchise's European campaigns offers the kind of varied, high-level exposure that accelerates a young forward's development. For Steenkamp, the path forward is clear enough: his trajectory will hinge on consistency of selection and the steady accumulation of senior experience, gradually earning longer runs in a competitive Lions back row.