Oscar Pistorius is to go on trial in March next year charged with murdering his girlfriend on St. Valentine's Day.
The 26-year-old double amputee, looked subdued as he arrived in court in Pretoria this morning.
He faces a life sentence if found guilty.
The athlete known as "Blade Runner", who is currently out on bail, has admitted killing her but denies murder.
He says he shot Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door because he believed she was an intruder.
Magistrate Desmond Nair said the trial would start at the High Court on March 3 and run until March 20.
This morning's court hearing coincided with what would have been the 30th birthday of Steenkamp, a blonde cover girl and law graduate, who died with gunshot wounds to the head, elbow and hip.
Pistorius walked into the Pretoria court wearing a black suit and light blue shirt, and started praying with his sister Aimee and brother Carl, holding hands with them and crying.
Local media had said he may also be charged with gun offences as the state tries to cast him as aggressive and trigger-happy, however, no other charges were listed on the indictment.
Pistorius was been released on bail of one million Rand (€74,000) a week after killing Steenkamp.
Her parents, initially silent, later lashed out at him, speaking of quarrels their daughter had with the athlete in their five-month relationship.
