World Cup-winning prop Steenkamp takes head coach role at Pro D2 side Béziers

Gurthrö Steenkamp, the former Springbok prop and 2007 Rugby World Cup winner, has been appointed head coach of Pro D2 side AS Béziers-Hérault on a three-year contract, replacing David Irazoqui who recently departed the club.

Steenkamp first arrived in France in 2012, joining Toulouse and helping the club claim the Top 14 title in 2014 before moving to Stade Français in 2017. He transitioned into coaching in 2019 and joined Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle in 2021 as scrum coach, simultaneously serving as forwards coach for La Rochelle’s espoirs side, guiding them to the Élite semifinals twice in four years.

Béziers president Bob Skinstad — himself a former Springbok team-mate of Steenkamp — was effusive in his praise for the appointment. “Gurthrö Steenkamp’s arrival is a great piece of news for the club,” Skinstad said. “Having played by his side and against him, I can say that he is talented and a very demanding individual, and is also a great human. His vast experience as a top level player and coach will be key to help the club progress and achieve its goals.”

Steenkamp’s arrival was not the only significant announcement from Béziers ahead of the new campaign. Former All Blacks and Samoa centre Malakai Fekitoa has also signed with the club through to 2029, adding considerable international pedigree to the squad.

The club has also seen notable departures, with Romania’s Taylor Gontineac, Portugal internationals Hugo Aubry and Hugo Camacho, and Samoan international Otunuku Pauta all confirmed as leaving. Samuel Marques, the Lobos scrum-half credited with helping Béziers avoid relegation in the final two rounds of the season, has also departed to join Carcassonne.

Béziers endured a difficult 2024/25 campaign, spending much of the season in a relegation battle before ultimately securing their Pro D2 status late in the year. Steenkamp and Fekitoa will be expected to help stabilise the club and push toward the championship play-offs when the Pro D2 2026/27 season kicks off on 28 August.