Two Springbok World Cup winners face career doubts

When the Springboks won the 2023 World Cup final, Steven Kitshoff produced a solid performance starting at loosehead prop, while Trevor Nyakane came off the bench and helped secure crucial possession with the final scrum of the game.

Unfortunately, less than 18 months later, there is real concern about the careers of both players, who have had to undergo surgeries for serious injuries.

As has been widely reported, Kitshoff underwent a major neck fusion operation last year that lasted several hours, and which has left him having to make a big decision about whether he will be able to attempt a comeback.

In the latest injury update from the Stormers, it was confirmed that Kitshoff will not feature again this season as he continues his “long-term rehabilitation”.

“There are a lot of people I speak to; the advice I got from the specialist was to make a very conscious decision on how it (returning to rugby) might affect me going forward in maybe five years down the line,” he commented during a recent interview. “That’s the things I’ve got to work through in my head.”

Concern for another Springbok World Cup winner

As the Springboks begin a new four-year World Cup cycle and begin to look at some newcomers in the wider squad, Nyakane is one of the players who was always likely to transition out of the national set up as he now approaches his 36th birthday.

The popular prop last featured for the Springboks as a substitute in the one-off Test against Portugal, but he has continued to play a key role for the Sharks at domestic level.

Unfortunately, the two-time World Cup winner has confirmed that he ruptured his Achilles tendon in the Sharks’ win over the Bulls in Pretoria almost two weeks ago, and he is not expected to feature again this season.

“Last week Saturday I ruptured my Achilles tendon [which was] very painful,” he wrote on Instagram on Saturday. “I just went under the knife, surgery was very successful. [The] doctors were very positive afterwards — now it’s the road to recovery and staying positive on this journey.

He was visited in hospital by teammates Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche and Fez Mbatha. “A very special thanks to my brothers who came to visit me, brought me food, supplies, took care of me, and as always [provided] good laughs, which is needed in times like these,” Nyakane added.

It remains to be seen when Nyakane will be able to make his return to play, but it does seem increasingly likely that his Springbok days are behind him.

WHAT ARE YOUR BEST MEMORIES FROM THESE TWO PLAYERS’ CAREERS?

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