Kitsie on his clean break – and the haka

Steven Kitshoff says being forced to retire from professional rugby made the decision “a bit easier”, but it’s still tough walking away from the fight, reports DEVIN HERMANUS. 

The two-time Springbok world champion and Stormers legend officially retired on Tuesday due to a serious neck injury, bringing an end to a 13-year career at the top level. 

Speaking at Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday, flanked by his wife Aimee and Stormers director of rugby John Dobson, the 33-year-old Kitshoff discussed calling it quits on medical grounds while looking back on his time between the whitelines.

“It makes it a bit easier. Going out on your own terms you always feel like, ‘my body is still fine’. But in saying that, you sometimes take away [an opportunity] for a new kid or guy coming through,” he said. “Mine was a clean cut, it was literally wanting to carry on playing but couldn’t anymore. 

“So it makes it a little bit easier but it’s still a tough decision to be made.”

ICYMI: Kitshoff calls time on stellar career

Kitshoff bowed out as one of the most formidable loosehead props in Bok history, but he acknowledged that he had already begun to feel the demands of keeping pace with younger front-rowers.

“At the next World Cup I’d be 35, so that’s quite old. And there’s such young talent that’s coming through – Gerhard Steenekamp is playing well, Jan-Hendrik [Wessels] is playing well, and there’s a big opportunity for them to make it,” he said. “For me, playing in and winning two World Cups is awesome and special, great moments in my life – up there with my wedding day! 

“To be able to have stayed involved would’ve been a massive honour but probably around 2023 I understood I wasn’t as agile as the young guys coming through. I really had to work on my fitness just to keep up. I could feel it was becoming tough.”

Reflecting on his greatest career moments, Kitshoff pointed to his breakthrough with Western Province, his time with the Stormers, and the Boks’ major triumphs.

“Earliest and fondest memory will probably be the 2012 Currie Cup final, playing in a very young front row with Scarra [Ntubeni] and Frans [Malherbe] versus Beast [Tendai Mtawarira], Jannie and Bismarck [du Plessis].

“I had some incredible Super Rugby runs playing with legends, and then with the Springboks, my debut in 2016 – that’s something I’ll treasure forever, and both World Cups. The Lions tour in 2021 was also special; it was a group of 35 players and their wives [and partners] all stuck in one hotel! 

“And probably cherry on the cake when it came to the Stormers was the URC final, lifting that trophy. That team went through dark times, managed to put the performances together and come out on top.”

WATCH: Steven Kitshoff tribute

When asked which international teams he relished facing the most, Kitshoff revealed: “From getting my Springbok debut it was always the All Blacks, I always thought facing the haka would be one of the coolest things. It was pretty impressive but also not that great,” he laughed. “Especially in SA, you couldn’t really hear them. 

“After that, for me, it was playing against England at Twickenham. Sometimes it felt like a home game, the amount of support we have in England. Between all the countries I’ve played, the All Blacks and England were always up for the fight… probably my favourite two fixtures of the year.”

Looking ahead, Kitshoff is keen to remain connected to the sport in some capacity. “Nothing concrete but I would love to stay involved in rugby as much as I can. I think the sport has given me so much, I think it’s time for me to give a bit back,” he said.

“If it’s youth development or mentoring, or consulting or whatever form – I just want to stay involved as much as I can. It’s an amazing sport, I’m super passionate about it. 

“I’ve gained a lot of knowledge over the years and I would love to help the guys coming through to try and reach their full potential.”

Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images/Getty Images