Steven Kitshoff retires from rugby

By Byron Lukas

South African rugby has bid farewell to one of its most cherished players, Steven Kitshoff, who was forced to retire at 33 due to a serious neck injury. 

The beloved DHL Stormers legend made this heart-wrenching announcement following extensive medical consultations, which deemed it unsafe for him to continue his distinguished career.

Kitshoff, whose career has captivated fans for over a decade, has amassed an impressive 138 caps for the DHL Stormers, alongside 83 appearances for the Springboks. His accolades include being part of two World Cup-winning teams, claiming the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, and contributing to a historic British and Irish Lions Series victory.

The injury, which sidelined him during a Carling Currie Cup match for DHL Western Province in Kimberley last year, pushed Kitshoff through an arduous process of therapy and rehabilitation. Despite his determination and effort to return to the pitch, medical advice revealed a drastically reduced range of motion in his neck, significantly increasing the risks associated with further play.

Looking back

Kitshoff, who was first called into the DHL Stormers squad as a talented 18-year-old, achieved his debut in 2011, quickly establishing himself as a formidable force in the front row and earning his first Springbok cap in 2016. 

In 2022, he lifted the Vodacom United Rugby Championship trophy at DHL Stadium, leading his team to victory in its inaugural season.

Reflecting on his journey, Kitshoff expressed deep gratitude for the opportunities he had throughout 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 DHL Stormers,” he said. “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.”

An emotional send off

Kitshoff’s emotional farewell extends beyond his personal aspirations, he thanked his wife, Aimee, parents, coaches, teammates and fans for their immense support throughout his illustrious journey. 

“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 added.

John Dobson, Director of Rugby for the DHL Stormers, paid homage to Kitshoff’s legendary contributions, stating, “Steven Kitshoff is an iconic player who will go down as one of the greats of our game. The only two players with more DHL Stormers caps to their name are his good mates and fellow props, Brok Harris and Frans Malherbe.”

“Beyond his undeniable impact on the field and impressive longevity, Steven stands out as a top human being who treated everyone with respect and always remained firmly grounded.

“He started out as a prodigy and proved himself against the best in the world. He will be remembered as a fantastic rugby player and a credit to his family,” he said. 

As rugby fans around the nation reflect on Kitshoff’s career, the void left by his departure will undoubtedly be felt at both the DHL Stormers and in the Springbok setup.