A matter of life or death: Steven Kitshoff on his retirement

Outgoing Springbok legend Steven Kitshoff has revealed the neck injury that forced him into premature retirement was life-threatening.

Kitshoff, who missed the entire 2024 international season due to injuries, went under the knife after sustaining a neck injury during a Carling Currie Cup match.

The 33-year-old prop decided to call time on his storied career after he was advised by a specialist neurosurgeon that there would be a high risk of another injury should he continue playing.

When ask about the nature of the injury that forced him to walk away from the game his loves, Kitshoff gave a sobering and rather startling account of how his life and not just his career was at risk if he continued playing.

“I’m very fortunate, very lucky to still be able to walk and still be able to breathe. I can count my blessings and be very grateful that I’m still alive,” Kitshoff said.

“I’m just grateful to be around and to be able to talk in this room.

“With proper planning it’s about working towards new goals and a new career. It’s about seizing the opportunity, because a second lifeline has been given to me,” he explained.

Stormers coach and Kitshoff’s long-time mentor John Dobson, who accompanied the Springbok to his retirement press conference, jumped in and gave a detailed explanation of what the injury entails and how they supported the front rower behind the scenes during this difficult time.

“For obviously reasons, this journey that we’ve been on wasn’t out in the media because of the nature of Steven’s injury.

“It’s a C1, C2 and that’s what’s called the hangman’s vertebrae. As you damage your spinal cord lower down that, you could probably lose movement in your feet and your lower limps. And as it goes higher (C1 or above), it can affect your lungs.

“So it wasn’t really even a wheelchair discussion, it was a stop breathing discussion. And that is what Steve refers to when he says he is happy to be alive.”

POST YOUR WELL WISHES TO STEVEN KITSHOFF BELOW

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1

Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.