The great prop has officially called it a day, saying he gave the rehab a full go but the risk to his neck is not worth it.
He will be missed - a class act - one of the best looseheads the Boks have ever produced
Up there with Os, Beast and Ox
Sad day but I think the right choice. Top flight prop who had a great all round game.
Yes, time to hang up his boots. If a player is nearing the end of their career and gets constant injuries or poor recovery, it is time to call it a day.
Unfortunately, more of the Boks are going to follow the same path before the 2027 World Cup
& much like his predecessors an unsung hero & retiring after 83 caps at age 33.
Very sad. He is certainly one of the greats to don the Springbok jersey.
Imagine being Steven Kitshoff, a dedicated rugby player whose career has been your life's passion. You recently sustained a severe neck injury during a Carling Currie Cup match in Kimberley last year. Despite undergoing surgery and extensive rehabilitation, your neck's reduced mobility has led medical specialists to advise that continuing to play would pose significant health risks.
Your rugby journey began at 18 when you joined the DHL Stormers squad, requiring special permission due to your young age. You debuted in 2011, earned your first Springbok cap in 2016, and celebrated lifting the Vodacom United Rugby Championship trophy at DHL Stadium in 2022.
While it's incredibly disappointing for your career to end this way, the risk to your well-being is simply too high. You gave your rehabilitation and comeback the best effort possible, but it wasn't meant to be.
You're grateful to all who supported you, especially your wife Aimee and your parents. The coaches, teammates, support staff at both the DHL Stormers and SA Rugby, and the fans have all played significant roles in your career.
As much as you'll miss playing and the special feeling of representing something much bigger than yourself, you're also looking forward to an exciting new chapter in your life. You'll be there at DHL Stadium, cheering the team on, just like you did as a youngster. You walk away from your playing days with countless incredible memories to cherish forever.
DHL Stormers Director of Rugby, John Dobson, paid tribute to your career, stating that you'll go down as one of the greats of the game. He highlighted not only your impact on the field but also the respect and humility you've maintained throughout your career.
While this chapter closes, you're eager to see what the future holds and will continue to support the team with the same passion and dedication.
What a beaut.... a true gentleman
I expect it to happen - a neck injury is indeed seious and one ahds io think of him as a person. Sorry about this one though - he was a class player and a real gemleman in the game..
Wish him all the best in his future endeavours…What a tremendous Rugby player.
His had over a decade of rugby and always rated him very highly. His work in the scrum and his general play as prop was right up there. Hope he can find his feet quickly agter this set back
Not surprised to read this.
Hopefully he can lead a happy and healthy life with no repercussions from the injury.
Well done to Kitshoff on a fine career and exemplary conduct as a Bok. A serious neck injury for a prop has to be a reason to retire. It puts Schalk’s post 2006 career in perspective. He found ways to change his game and remain a strong contributor, but he was never the fetcher of 2004 and 2005 again.