Double World Cup winner Kitshoff forced to retire

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South Africa's prop Steven Kitshoff, a two-time World Cup champion, has had to hang up his boots due to a severe neck injury.

The 33-year-old sustained the injury in September 2024 during a Currie Cup match while playing for Western Province, later stating he was "two millimetres from death."

Kitshoff, who earned 83 caps for South Africa, played for Ulster in the 2023-24 season before rejoining his home team, the Stormers, which competes in the United Rugby Championship based in Cape Town.

"It is obviously incredibly disappointing for my career to conclude in this manner, but unfortunately the risk to my wellbeing was simply too high," Kitshoff expressed, having been part of South Africa's World Cup-winning squads in Japan 2019 and France 2023.

"After undergoing initial conservative treatment, it was decided that stabilising surgery was necessary," his team, the Stormers, announced.

"Following an exhaustive rehabilitation process, he experiences a significantly limited range of motion in his neck, and a specialist neurosurgeon's advice indicated there was a considerable risk of further injury if he were to continue playing."

Kitshoff's notable career commenced with the Stormers at the young age of 18, making his debut for the club in 2011, and earning his first international cap five years later.

He also spent two seasons at the French club Bordeaux, along with his time at Ulster.

South Africa's head coach Rassie Erasmus remarked, "He is a true team player, earning immense respect from his teammates and coaches through his strong work ethic, ambition to excel on the field, and his humble demeanor.

"He will always be remembered as a warrior and an excellent representative of what the Springboks symbolize, and we wish him all the best as he transitions into this new phase of his life."