Steven Kitshoff is one of the most influential props to have ever played for the Springboks and Stormers, but a serious neck injury has threatened to bring a premature end to his illustrious career.
Kitshoff recently underwent a major neck fusion surgery, which lasted over six hours.
The operation was a success and the 32-year-old is recovering well, but due to the severity of the injury and the fact that it is high up on his upper neck vertebrae, it would be understandable if doctors felt it would be too much of a risk for him – especially as a prop – to play professional rugby again.
At the moment, Kitshoff will simply be focused on making a full recovery from a major operation, and there will undoubtedly be further assessments from medical specialists.
Interestingly, though, the Stormers listed Kitshoff as a player who was set to return from injury next year.
“Salmaan Moerat (knee), Sti Sithole (ankle), Frans Malherbe (ankle), Deon Fourie (knee) and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (concussion) are all expected to make their return before the end of the year, while Steven Kitshoff (neck), Evan Roos (shoulder), Dan du Plessis (knee), Ben Loader (knee) and Damian Willemse (groin) all continue their rehab and are scheduled to return to play in the new year,” a statement from the Stormers read.
If Kitshoff is ultimately unable to return from this injury, the double World Cup winner could be left stranded on 83 Test caps, while his second stint at the Stormers may be over before its begun.
Having said that, Kitshoff posted a couple of updates to social media painting as positive a picture as possible.
“Thrilled to share that my operation was a big success! A massive thank you to my incredible doctors and nurses for their amazing care, and to all my family, friends, and loyal supporters—your support means the world to me!
“It’s going to be a long recovery journey, but I’m excited for the future ahead. Please trust me for updates on my progress and don’t believe any other sources. Here’s to healing!”
Springbok and Stormers star Steven Kitshoff is recovering from a delicate neck operation
The popular Springbok prop has been out of action since early September after sustaining the injury playing for Western Province in a Currie Cup game after just returning from a serious knee injury.
Recently, when speaking on the popular Boks Office show, Kitshoff described how the injury occurred and just why it was such a ‘scary’ situation.
“It’s a bit of a stressful one because it’s such a high area of my neck – C1 and C2 – which is a bit of an issue,” he said. “It was quite a fright. It happened in the weirdest way. Just a normal scrum, and everyday type of thing, and then I just felt something snap at the back.
“Mine was just a normal scrum. The scrum didn’t even collapse. In the process of the scrum, I just felt something go.”
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