Springbok loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff is heading to Ireland for an adventure, but he will return to continue his fairy-tale DHL Stormers career, writes MARK KEOHANE.
The most-capped player in the franchise’s history, Kitshoff has led the Stormers to back-to-back Vodacom United Rugby Championship finals, and is set to face Munster on 27 May in what on the surface appears to be his last appearance for the team at Cape Town Stadium as he prepares to run out for Ulster next season.
In his TimesLIVE column, Keohane suggests Kitshoff still has plenty of rugby left in him and at 31 years old, he is at the peak of his powers and could easily play well into the 2030s.
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He argues that Kitshoff’s scrummaging prowess, work rate, and leadership abilities are simply unmatched, and the Stormers would be foolish not to welcome him back with open arms in the future.
“Every week I chat rugby with Stormers coach John Dobson on Ryan O’Connor’s Smile FM Breakfast show and on Friday, Dobbo made it clear that Kitshoff was heading to Belfast for a worldly experience and not to end his playing career,” Keohane writes.
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“We’ve seen it with players like Brok Harris, who went overseas and played 100-plus games in another country and has returned to Cape Town and played for the Stormers and Western Province.
“Dobbo said Kitshoff had seven to eight years left in him if managed correctly. Realistically, it may be five years, which takes him to another World Cup at 36 years old, but at a regional and domestic level, he could go to 40.
“Steven Kitshoff will be back in Cape Town. And he will be back in the Stormers jersey for some time.”
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