The bulky prop, who returned home early after breaking his hand in the Tri-Nations match against Australia in Perth a fortnight ago, underwent an operation last week.

Blue Bulls team doctor Tommy Smook confirmed that Steenkamp would play no part in this year's Currie Cup campaign and would not tour with the Sprinboks at the end of the year.

"He had an operation in Cape Town last week and although he will still pop in by us this week, my information is that he won't play any more rugby this year," Smook said.