Based: Cape Town
Steven Kitshoff is a South African professional rugby player, known for his career as a loosehead prop, primarily with the Stormers and the Springboks. He was born on February 10, 1992, in Somerset West and attended Paul Roos Gymnasium. Kitshoff has enjoyed a successful career, including winning the Junior World Championship with the South Africa U20 team in 2012 and two Rugby World Cup titles with the Springboks in 2019 and 2023. He recently retired from professional rugby due to a neck injury.
Early Career and Rise to Prominence:
- Kitshoff’s professional career began with Western Province in 2011, and he quickly became a regular player for both Western Province and the Stormers.
- He was a key member of the South Africa U20 team that won the 2012 Junior World Championship, defeating New Zealand.
- In 2012, he also contributed to Western Province’s Currie Cup victory.
- He joined the French club Bordeaux Bègles in 2015 but returned to the Stormers in 2018.
International Career:
- Kitshoff made his Test debut for the Springboks in 2016.
- He became a consistent presence in the Springboks squad, playing a vital role in their 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup victories.
- He also played in the 2021 British & Irish Lions series, which the Springboks won.
- Kitshoff’s international career included 83 caps for the Springboks.
Later Career and Retirement:
- Upon returning to South Africa, Kitshoff was appointed captain of the Stormers in 2021 and led them to victory in the inaugural United Rugby Championship in 2022.
- In 2023, he joined Ulster for a season before returning to the Stormers.
- He was forced to retire from professional rugby due to a serious neck injury sustained in September 2024 while playing for Western Province.
- The injury was described as potentially life-threatening, with Kitshoff stating he was “two millimetres from death”.
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Steven Kitsoff
Steven Kitsoff
Steven Kitsoff
