Educated at Gill College, Stephan Greeff first turned out at provincial level at the U18 Academy Week of 2007. Donning the colours of Eastern Province Country Districts, Greeff’s large frame caught the eye of Western Province and he duly signed a junior contract with the famed union. Despite WP having some of the greatest age-group depth on the planet, Stephan emerged as a standout forward in both the U19 and U21 Currie Cup competitions. It came as no surprise when a 20-year-old Greeff made his senior professional debut in the 2010 Vodacom Cup, before moving to Johannesburg to continue his career with the Golden Lions.

A Super Rugby debut followed against the Hurricanes, where the abrasive lock emerged as both an enforcer and athletic lineout general. Three seasons in the nation’s capital saw Stephan drawn to a fresh challenge at the ambitious Griquas, where he showed his versatility by dominating the gain line as a ball-carrying loose forward. He continued to show his speed as a mobile No. 8 when moving to the Mpumalanga Pumas, but a call-up to the Southern Kings saw Stephan return to the aggressive second row dynamism that he was renowned for. After making the number four jersey his own in the Guinness Pro 14, the franchise faced financial closure and Greeff moved to Russia to join Strela-Agro Kazan.