Katlego Sekhu

Springbok and DHL Stormers icon Steven Kitshoff has announced his retirement from rugby following a serious neck injury.
The specialist forward closes the curtain on an illustrious career that saw him earn 138 caps for the DHL Stormers and 83 caps for the Springboks, including two Rugby World Cup victories, a Castle Lager Rugby Championship title, and a British and Irish Lions series win.
Kitshoff sustained the neck injury during a Carling Currie Cup match for DHL Western Province in Kimberley last year. After initially undergoing conservative therapy, the decision was made to proceed with stabilising surgery.
Following an extensive rehabilitation process, Kitshoff was left with significantly reduced neck rotation. A specialist neurosurgeon advised that continuing to play would pose a high risk of further injury, leading to the difficult decision to retire.
Kitshoff made his DHL Stormers debut in 2011 and established himself as a considerable force up front, going on to earn his first Springbok cap in 2016.
Kitshoff said that while the last six months have been incredibly tough, he is grateful to have had the opportunity to play at the highest level and represent the teams he grew up supporting.
“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.
“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 said.
Kitshoff thanked all those who have played a role in his rugby journey.
“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 said.



