The 33-year-old concludes a stellar career with 138 caps for the Stormers and 83 appearances for the Springboks, having won two Rugby World Cups and a British & Irish Lions Series.

Kitshoff sustained the injury during a Currie Cup match for Western Province in Kimberley last year. After undergoing conservative therapy, he underwent stabilising surgery. Despite extensive rehabilitation, he was left with significantly reduced neck rotation, and a specialist neurosurgeon advised that continuing to play posed a high risk of further injury.

Steven Kitshoff after winning the URC with the Stormers. Photo: X

Kitshoff’s journey began when he joined the Stormers squad at just 18, requiring special permission to train with the senior team. He made his debut in 2011 and quickly became a dominant force in the front row, earning his first Springbok cap in 2016.

A career highlight was lifting the United Rugby Championship trophy in 2022, when the Stormers claimed the title in their first season.

Lived a dream

Reflecting on his retirement, Kitshoff admitted the last six months had been challenging but expressed gratitude for his career. “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 Stormers. 

“It is incredibly disappointing for my career to end this way, but the risk to my well-being was simply too high. I really wanted to finish my story with the Stormers on the pitch and gave the rehab and comeback the best shot I could, but it was not to be.

“As much as I will miss playing and the special feeling of representing something bigger than myself, I am also looking forward to an exciting new chapter in my life. I’ll be there at the Cape Town Stadium cheering the boys on, just like I did as a youngster.”

Steven Kitshoff during his stint at Ulster. Photo: X

Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson praised Kitshoff’s legacy. “Steven Kitshoff is an iconic player who will go down as one of the greats. 

“Beyond his undeniable impact on the field, he stands out as a top human being who treated everyone with respect. He started out as a prodigy and proved himself against the best. Playing for the Springboks and the Stormers meant a lot to him, and that passion was given back to him by the fans.”

Kitshoff won the Junior Rugby World Championship with the Junior Springboks in 2012, while in 2019 and 2023 he won the Rugby World Cup with the Springboks. The flyhalf Handré Pollard and Pieter-Steph du Toit, were both part of all three of those victorious teams.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg