Bulls and Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn has agreed to leave the Pretoria Super Rugby franchise and join Stade Francais.
One hundred and seven Super Rugby cap Steyn has been linked to a number of European rugby clubs but reports on the internet state that he has signed a three year contract with the Top 14 Rugby club.
Steyn struggled with his form in 2012 and was replaced by Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer by Sharks pivot Pat Lambie and Cheetahs number 10 Johan Goosen.
Stormers fly half Elton Jantjies was also favoured ahead of Steyn.
Ironically Steyn appears to have turned a corner in 2013 while Goosen and Jantjies have struggled to find form.
Steyn has signed a three year contract with Stade Francais which lasts until June 2013 and he will leave the Bulls after the 2013 Currie Cup season on October 31st, 2013.
Twenty-nine-year-old Steyn has been contracted to the Bulls since 2003 and has won titles in Super Rugby, Currie Cup, Vodacom Cup and junior levels but felt that it was time for a change.
"I have invested so much of my life with the Bulls, so it was a very tough decision to make. I basically owe everything I achieved in rugby to them, but the opportunity to join Stade comes at the right time in my career. "
"I always wanted to play some rugby abroad and experience a different lifestyle and now have the opportunity to go and do that," said Steyn.
"They have been negotiating with me for a while now and I have decided not to accept the offer from the BBC to extend my contract, but rather join Stade."
Commenting on this, Bulls coach Frans Ludeke gave Steyn his blessing, "I don't think anyone can doubt or question the loyalty that Morne has shown to us. "
"He has given everything he had for ten years now and one cannot fault his decision to expand his horizons. "
"We will forever be grateful to have a player like that in our generation and can only wish him the best. He will be missed as he is a world class player, but I know that he will still be giving us 110% till the end of his term."
BBC (Blue Bulls Company) High Performance Manager Xander Janse van Rensburg confirmed that they offered Steyn an extension to his contract, but could not match the lucrative French offer
"Morne also indicated to us that he will use the remainder of his time here to mentor our junior crop of flyhalves coming through, which is something we are very pleased about."
Steyn has won 42 Springbok caps and has scored 486 points and has now scored 1242 points (12tries, 213conversions, 228penalties, 24drop goals) in Super Rugby which is a South African record.
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