Kitsie turned wearing No1 into being No 1.

In the December 2017 issue of SA Rugby Magazine Steven Kitshoff declared that he wanted to be No 1 in the world when it came to loosehead props. Two World Cup titles, a Rugby Championship title, a British & Irish series win and the inaugural Vodacom United Rugby Championship title later, he made good on his intent and was comfortably No 1 in the world, writes Mark Keohane.

In a sport where locks, loose-forwards, halfbacks, midfielders, wingers and fullbacks always find favour with the media and the marketing campaigns, props tend to be the forgotten piece of rugby’s puzzle. But without props there is no rugby union. You may as well just have rugby league.

Props are the essence of the sport of rugby and Kitsie epitomised everything there is to be applauded about those giants who wear numbers one and three on their backs.

My local pharmacist in Cape Town’s City Bowl is Saul Helman. He has three children, the youngest of whom is 16 year-old Max, who is fanatical about the DHL Stormers and the Springboks. When I asked who his favourite player is, there was no hesitation: ‘Steven Kitshoff!’

Over the years it is something I have heard often when chatting rugby with supporters. ‘Kitsie … what a player … Kitsie … what a boytjie … Kitsie ,… what a legend …’

 

One of the greatest to ever do it, thanks for everything Kitsie. #iamastormer #spicyplum #kitsie pic.twitter.com/FExBNIoprI

— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) February 25, 2025

Take your pick.

He is a player who has inspired from his early years, as a player and a leader. His strength and mobility were features of his game, but his nous and on-field leadership were the most powerful, yet understated of his qualities. In the brief trial period, when there was a ‘captain’s call’ to challenge a potential refereeing error, I don’t think Kitsie ever got one challenge wrong.

There was one particular game, against the Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town, where Kitsie turned his one challenge into four right ones. You see, if a captain got it right, the challenge was not lost. It wasn’t so much as him calling the immediate. He would ask the referee to go back 90 seconds and several phases to a play he felt was wrongly adjudicated and that would have a positive outcome for the Stormers.

He nailed them, just as he nailed most opponents.

When I spoke to his coaches, at every level, they were consistent in their admiration of him as a player, leader and bloody good oke.

Equally, his teammates.

Kitsie played 138 matches for the Stormers, but one match that he will never forget is playing for Ulster against the Stormers at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town. Kitsie spent a season in Belfast before returning to South Africa and his home in Cape Town. On this particular night the most expectant moment came when Kitsie lined up his Stormers and Springboks tighthead mate Frans Malherbe. It was the most anticipated scrum engagements in Cape Town, but the brotherhood and bromance ensured it was honours even on that one and only competitive match scrum down.

Malherbe trotted off to be replaced by Neethling Fouche, who also got to scrum against the player who so often had led the Stormers out of the tunnel. Malherbe and Fouche would have scrummed against Kitsie more than any other tightheads in rugby, given the number of scrums done at practise in a season at the Stormers and WP and, in the case of Malherbe and Kitsie, at the Boks. They can all say they got to do it once at their home of rugby wearing more than a practise jersey.

The respect there is for Kitshoff has always been obvious, with the ‘Firefighter/Spicy Plum’ leading through on-field actions, as much as with rugby wisdom.

Western Province, the Stormers and the Springboks were the richer for his 15 year presence as a professional player.

He defined professionalism, but never lost his humility and human touch.

Thank you Kitsie and I am sure your rugby knowledge will find a way into a coaching structure sooner rather than later.

KITSIE: BORN TO SCRUM, CHARGE, TACKLE, OFFLOAD AND LEAD.

Kitsie’s terrific timeline

Born on February 10, 1992, in Somerset West, Western Cape.

• 2005-2012: Kitshoff attended Paul Roos Gymnasium, where he began his rugby journey. He progressed through the youth ranks of Western Province and South Africa’s national age group squads.

Professional Career

• 2011: At just 19, Kitshoff made his professional debut with the Stormers in Super Rugby, making five substitute appearances. He also featured in five Currie Cup matches for Western Province that year.

• 2012: Established himself as a regular starter, wearing the No 1 jersey for both the Stormers and Western Province. He played a pivotal role in Western Province’s Currie Cup triumph over the Sharks in Durban.

• 2013: Continued his consistent performances, contributing to Western Province’s journey to a second consecutive Currie Cup final.

• 2014: Faced a setback due to a season-ending injury during the Super Rugby season, causing him to miss Western Province’s Currie Cup victory that year.

• 2015-2017: Signed with French Top 14 side Bordeaux Bègles, gaining valuable international experience over two seasons.

• 2017: Returned to South Africa, rejoining the Stormers.

• 2021: Appointed captain of the Stormers, showcasing his leadership qualities.

• 2022: Led the Stormers to victory in the inaugural United Rugby Championship, defeating the Bulls 18-13 in an all-South African final.

• 2023-2024: Joined Ulster Rugby for the 2023-24 season before returning to the Stormers.

International Career

• 2012: Represented South Africa U20, contributing to their IRB Junior World Championship win.

• 2016: Made his senior debut for the Springboks on June 25 against Ireland in Port Elizabeth.

• 2019: Won the Rugby Championship and World Cup titles with the Springboks.

• 2023: Contributed to South Africa’s back-to-back World Cup title victories, with the team overcoming New Zealand 12-11 in the final.

Years	Team	Apps	(Points)
2011–2015	Western Province	39	(5)
2011–2015	Stormers	60	(0)
2015–2017	Bordeaux	34	(10)
2017–2023	Stormers	64	(15)
2017–2023	Western Province	5	(5)
2023–2024	Ulster	14	(0)
2024–2025	Stormers	10	(0)
2024–2025	Western Province	2	(5)

 

 

Injury and Retirement

In September 2024, while playing for Western Province against Griquas in the Currie Cup, Kitshoff sustained a severe neck injury during a scrum. The injury involved a critical displacement of vertebrae near the brain canal, posing a significant risk to his life. He underwent successful surgery on November 20, 2024, but faced a prolonged recovery period. Despite his determination to return to the field, medical advice regarding the high risk of re-injury led to his decision to retire from professional rugby on February 25, 2025.