Kitshoff heading back to Cape Town
NEWS: Steven Kitshoff has signed a two-year deal to return to the Stormers.
The powerful loosehead prop, who has 134 Stormers caps to his name, will return to Cape Town in July.
Irish province Ulster and the player have mutually agreed to draw the Springbok’s three-year contract to an early close,
The experienced 32-year-old led the Stormers to the United Rugby Championship title in 2022 and will return to the team he grew up supporting for the second time in his career, having spent three seasons with Bordeaux from 2015 to 2017.
An immensely popular figure in Cape Town and with Stormers supporters around the world, Kitshoff will add valuable leadership to the squad, on top of his considerable talents in the front row.
Guess who’s back? The Spicy Plum will be in the blue and white once again from next season. #iamastormer #dhldelivers #kitsiesback pic.twitter.com/940dePTAse
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) April 5, 2024
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said that having Kitshoff in the squad is a major boost for many different reasons.
“Steven is a Stormers great and adds so much to our environment beyond his immense value on the pitch.
“We are really encouraged that he is so keen to come back and get stuck in as we start an exciting new chapter here in Cape Town.
“We always wanted to get him back and I am just thrilled that with the backing of our new owners, we have been able to make that happen so quickly.
“He is a proud product of our system and we cannot wait to see him in the blue and white again next season,” he said.
Having left at the end of last season to join Ulster, the opportunity for Kitshoff to return home following the recent investment from the Red Disa Consortium in the Stormers was too good to pass up.
He said that he is grateful to be able to return to the Stormers where he hopes to see out his career following the stint in Belfast.
“It is no secret what Cape Town and the Stormers team mean to me, so to be able to return home is incredibly exciting.
“I’d like to thank Ulster for a fantastic experience in Belfast and their understanding through this whole process. We still have a lot to do together this season.
“From next season I’ll be doing all I can to add value for the Stormers and hopefully be part of something special once again with my friends and family alongside me,” he said.
Ulster Rugby can confirm that Senior Men’s player, Steven Kitshoff, will leave the province at the end of the 2023/24 season.
We wish Steven and his wife, Aimee, the best for their return home to South Africa.
Full story ⤵️https://t.co/Ggz8gWFH3e pic.twitter.com/gCOOet7niN
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) April 5, 2024
