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Steven Kitshoff calls time on his illustrious career

You are currently viewing Steven Kitshoff calls time on his illustrious career
Stormers captain Steven Kitshoff leaves the field after playing his last Stormers match during the United Rugby Championship 2022/23 Grand Final between Stormers and Munster held at Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa on 27 May 2023 ©Shaun Roy/BackpagePix

Springbok and DHL Stormers legend Steven Kitshoff has been forced to call time on his illustrious career due to a serious neck injury.

The 33-year-old sustained the neck injury during a Carling Currie Cup encounter for Western Province against the Griquas in Kimberly.

Kitshoff then went under the knife to undergo surgery, but his extensive post-operation left him with significantly reduced rotation in his neck rehabilitation, but following specialist medical advice, he was forced to retire.

He ends his career with 138 appearances for the Stormer, where he won the 2022 United Rugby Championship while winning the 2012 Currie Cup with Western Province.

Kitshoff also represented the Springboks 83 times, winning two World Cups, a Castle Lager Rugby Championship, and a British and Irish Lions Series.

The Springbok prop has since revealed that he was “two millimetres away from death” following the injuries he suffered in the scrum.

“Playing rugby has been my life from a young age and I was lucky enough to live the dream of many young boys by representing the Springboks and the DHL Stormers,” Kitshoff said in a statement.

“It is obviously incredibly disappointing for my career to end in this way, but unfortunately the risk to my wellbeing was simply too high.

“I really wanted to finish my story with the DHL Stormers on the pitch and gave the rehab and comeback the best shot I could, but it was not to be.”

He added: “There are so many people who have provided incredible support for me over the years, not least my wife Aimee and my parents.

“I will always be grateful to all of the coaches, teammates and support staff at both the DHL Stormers and SA Rugby and of course the fans who have had such a big impact on my career.

“As much as I will miss playing and the special feeling of running out to represent something much bigger than myself, I am also looking forward to an exciting new chapter in my life.

“I’ll be there at DHL Stadium cheering the boys on, just like I did as a youngster. I walk away from my playing days with so many incredible memories that I will cherish forever,” he concluded.