Steenkamp was also included in the 2011 South Africa Schools squad and he was named captain of the team that beat France 'A' 21–14 in Port Elizabeth.
After high school, Steenkamp moved across the Jukskei River to join the Pretoria-based Blue Bulls prior to the 2012 season.
He started all five matches for a South African side that won the competition in 2012 and attempted to retain the title in the 2013 event held in France.
Despite still being at Under-20 level, he also occasionally captained the side, including their 70–19 victory over Border U21 where he started the match in an unfamiliar role of hooker.
[22] He suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out for several months,[23] but returned for the Blue Bulls during the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division season.
[25] He also played off the bench in their final regular season match in a 25–24 win over the Pumas[26] to help them finish second on the log and clinch a home semi-final for the first time since 2008.