Springbok Prop Steven Kitshoff Calls Time On His Career

Though long anticipated, the news of Steven Kitshoff's forced retreat into retirement has come as a blow.

The Springbok loosehead prop on Tuesday confirmed his playing days are over due to a neck injury he suffered while on the comeback trail for Western Province in the Currie Cup last season.

The 33-year-old prop's decision is based on specialist medical advice.

Capped 83 times for the Springboks and 138 for the Stormers, Kitshoff 's decorated career saw him lift the Rugby World Cup in Yokohama and Paris, the Rugby Championship trophy in 2019 and help the Boks to a series win over the British and Irish Lions. He also captained the Stormers to the maiden United Rugby Championship title and was triumphant with Western Province in the 2012 Currie Cup final.

He sustained the neck injury playing in a Currie Cup match for WP in Kimberley last year and after undergoing initial conservative therapy the decision was taken to have stabilising surgery.