TRAGIC: Springbok legend hangs up his boots after horror injury

Springbok fans have received some awful news regarding one of the best front row’s to ever do it for South Africa.

The Springboks and Argentina will clash for the 37th time on Saturday. Image: SA Rugby

Only a select few can call themselves double World Cup winners – former Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff is one of those illustrious individuals.

The red-haired boy from Paarl became one of the best front rows to have graced the green and gold jersey, accumulating 83 Springbok caps and well on his way to becoming a centurion before being forced to retire.

While playing for the Western Province last year, Kitshoff suffered an acute neck injury during a scrum in a Currie Cup clash, ruling him out indefinitely.

Retirement loomed, but a comeback seemed just as likely; however, it was not to be after a neurosurgeon specialist deemed the 33-year-old’s rehabilitation, which included conservative therapy, as not enough to return without the risk of another life-threatening injury.

We wish you all the best in your future endeavours, everyone is going to miss you.

Kitshoff say’s bye

“Playing rugby has been my life from a young age and I was lucky enough to live the dream of many young boys by representing the Springboks and the DHL Stormers,

“It is obviously incredibly disappointing for my career to end in this way, but unfortunately the risk to my wellbeing was simply too high,

“I really wanted to finish my story with the DHL Stormers on the pitch and gave the rehab and comeback the best shot I could, but it was not to be,” the Springbok great added.

“There are so many people who have provided incredible support for me over the years, not least my wife Aimee and my parents. I will always be grateful to all of the coaches, teammates and support staff at both the DHL Stormers and SA Rugby and of course the fans who have had such a big impact on my career,

“As much as I will miss playing and the special feeling of running out to represent something much bigger than myself, I am also looking forward to an exciting new chapter in my life,

“I’ll be there at DHL Stadium cheering the boys on, just like I did as a youngster. I walk away from my playing days with so many incredible memories that I will cherish forever.”