In 2012, Eksteen was selected to represent the George-based SWD Eagles at the premier South African rugby union competition for high schools, the Under-18 Craven Week, held in Port Elizabeth, scoring a try in their 33–39 defeat to Western Province.
He made his first class debut as the SWD Eagles' starting fly-half in a 19–24 defeat to the Falcons in Kempton Park.
[10] He appeared as a replacement in their 42–27 victory over the Griffons in Welkom in their final match of the regular season,[11] as well as in their 43–45 defeat to the same opposition in the semi-finals a week later.
Eksteen scored one try in their defeat to Western Province[14] as his side finished in fourth position on the Southern Section log to qualify for the quarter finals, where they lost to the Golden Lions.
Eksteen was handed the kicking duties during this competition and it coincided with a big turnaround in fortunes, as the SWD Eagles won four out of their five matches, to finish in third spot on the log to qualify for the semi-finals.