Rassie Erasmus pays tribute to warrior Kitshoff

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus paid tribute to double Rugby World Cup-winning prop Steven Kitshoff following the announcement on Tuesday that he had decided to retire from the game after suffering a serious neck injury last year.

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

The Springbok stalwart, who earned the last of his 83 caps in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in France (which the Boks won 12-11), enjoyed an illustrious career since making his Test debut against Ireland in Gqeberha in 2016. He won two Rugby World Cup titles with the Boks (2019 and 2023), as well as a British & Irish Lions series (2021), and United Rugby Championship with the Stormers (2022).

Adding to this, Kitshoff is the second most capped Springbok prop behind Tendai Mtawarira and boasts the second highest number of starts in a Springbok front row with Frans Malherbe and Malcolm Marx (17 Tests) – trailing record holders of Mtawarira, and brothers Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis, by three Tests. He also boasts a World Rugby U20 Championship gold medal with the Junior Boks in 2012.

Interestingly, both his Test tries were scored in away Tests against Italy, in 2017 in Padova, and in 2022 in Genoa.

Erasmus also praised Kitshoff for his massive contribution both as a leader and key member of the Springbok team in the last few years: “We are extremely sad that Steven’s career had to end this way, but we would like to extend our gratitude to him for his hard work and the sacrifices he has made over the years to become such a vital cog in the team.

“He is a true team man, and he earned enormous respect from his team-mates and the coaches with his high work ethic, drive to be the best he can on the field, and his down-to-earth nature. He will always remain a warrior and fine ambassador of what the Springboks stand for, and we wish him luck as he begins this new chapter in his life.”

Kitshoff, meanwhile, thanked the Springboks for what he described as some of the best years of his life.

“The Springboks have been an incredible part of my life, and it was the biggest honour to represent my country at the highest level and be part of an incredible team that went all the way to win back-to-back Rugby World Cups,” said Kitshoff.

“It was probably one of the biggest achievements in my life, and I want to thank all the management and coaching staff that played a massive role in my journey.

“I also want to thank my wife Aimee Kitshoff and my parents for following me on that journey, being there every step of the way, and for supporting me as went through tough times and good times, which allowed me to contribute to the team becoming one of the strongest in in world rugby.

“It was a massive honour for me to represent the Springboks and I’ll support them till the day I die.”

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