Springbok & Stormers prop Kitshoff announces retirement due to neck injury
Medical reasons were cited as the reason for the 33-year-old scrum's sudden departure from the sport after a successful 12 year career.
Steven Kitshoff has been forced to call time on his illustrious career due to a serious neck injury. Picture credit: Instagram @bokrugby
JOHANNESBURG - Steven Kitshoff, the two-time Springbok world champion, has announced his immediate retirement from rugby.
Medical reasons were cited as the reason for the 33-year-old Stormers prop's sudden departure from the sport after a successful 12-year career.
Kitshoff underwent neck fusion surgery last year after suffering an injury during a Currie Cup match for Western Province.
"The past six months have been extremely tough, but I am grateful to have had the opportunity to play at the highest level and represent the teams I grew up supporting," Kitshoff said in a Stormers statement.
"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.
A pillar of the Springbok scrum, Kitshoff was the best weapon off the bench. Kitshoff, a founding member of the Bomb Squad, made 83 Test appearances, starting only 29 of them, but he had a huge influence as a ball-carrier, at the maul, set pieces, and the breakdown.
Kitshoff thanked all those who have played a role in his rugby journey.