Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit (26) has signed with the franchise for the 2016 season, after spending the past four years with the Central Pulse.
It will be Selby-Rickit's second stint with the Steel, having amassed 40 caps for the team from 2008-11.
The elder sister of Steel shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit (23) joins Storm Purvis and Jane Watson as the third specialist defender on the roster.
While the Steel only carried three specialist defenders - Purvis, Watson and Phoenix Karaka - a year ago, it wanted to add Selby-Rickit to the mix as the fourth defender for the 2016 campaign.
However, that plan fell apart when Karaka, who spent the past three years developing into a fine player with the Steel, opted to sign with the Pulse a couple of weeks ago.
With 10 out of 12 players signed, the Steel will probably use one of the last spots on a fourth shooter.
It will then need to decide if it will again carry three specialist defenders in favour of five midcourters, or find another defender.
Selby-Rickit, who has made two appearances for the Silver Ferns, said it was an easy decision to go back to the team where she launched her ANZ Championship career in 2008.
''When I first moved to Invercargill, I'd never even heard of the place,'' she said.
''But I loved it pretty much straight away and then spent six years there, so I'm really excited to now be coming back.
''It was an easier decision than going to any other team because I've been in the environment before ... I already know the people are nice.''
With Ama Agbeze, Jessica Bourke and Katrina Grant also at the Pulse, Selby-Rickit had limited opportunities the past year.
She picked up only seven intercepts and 23 pass deflections, but the 1.84m defender is sure to add some physicality to the Steel at the defensive end.
Whether or not she slots straight into the starting line-up alongside Purvis remains to be seen, as Watson made a strong claim for a starting job in her first season with the Steel.
''They are both amazing players,'' she said.
''I don't think it will be that hard. I'm really excited to work with Storm and Jane and whoever else the Steel sign to join us in the defensive circle.''
Playing under Steel coach Janine Southby next year will mark the first time Selby-Rickit has not been coached by former Steel and Pulse coach Robyn Broughton at ANZ Championship level.
''It's going to feel very weird initially to be coached by someone else,'' she said.
''I got to the point where I knew all of [Broughton's] drills so well that as soon as she put out the cones, I automatically knew what to do. It's going to be fun not knowing for a change.''
Despite not playing for the Steel since 2011, Selby-Rickit is the seventh-most capped player in franchise history.
Southern Steel
Players signed for 2016
Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Brooke Leaver, Gina Crampton, Wendy Frew, Shannon Francois, Stacey Peeters, Storm Purvis, Jane Watson, Te Huinga Reo Selby-RickitTe Huinga ReoSelby-Rickit
