Big Cape Town farewell on the cards for 'big player'
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Not only will Saturday’s United Rugby Championship quarterfinal be a vital match for the Stormers and Bulls, but it will also be a significant occasion for Steven Kitshoff.
The URC fixture could be captain Kitshoff’s final appearance for the Stormers at the Cape Town Stadium.
The Bok heads to Irish side Ulster at the end of the season.
Should the Stormers secure a victory over the Bulls, and Connacht manage to beat Ulster, the beloved ‘Kitsy’ Kitshoff could make one last hurrah at home in the URC semifinal on May 12/13.
However, a win over the Bulls and a win against Ulster, means that this Saturday will be his last outing as Stormers captain at the Cape Town Stadium.
#⃣ICYMI @THESTORMERS have their ‘poacher’ back to tame the @BlueBullsRugby in their @URCOfficial #quarterfinal face-off🏆#Rugby 🏉#RugbyUnion🌍
🔗https://t.co/v1hdxJEcDE— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) May 3, 2023
“Everyone is well aware that it might be [Kitshoff’s] last match at Cape Town Stadium,” Damian Willemse told reporters when asked about Kitshoff’s farewell season.
“He is a big player at the franchise, and everyone respects him a lot.
“We obviously want to [win] for him.”
Willemse added: “Just in terms of where this team is heading and what we, as a group want, is to put in a huge performance.
“It’s going to make us proud, the coaches, the union, and everyone that supports us.
“First things first is to get the win and we will definitely celebrate it.
“If it happens that results do not go our way and we don’t get to play another game with [Kitshoff] at Cape Town Stadium, so be it.
“But for us as a group, we are focused to get our stuff right and be in the best position to win the quarterfinal.”
Different Challenge
The Stormers have been incredible against the Bulls, recording home and away URC wins this season.
However, forward coach Rito Hlungwani admitted facing the Bulls in the play-offs match will be a very difficult challenge, especially with their dangerous pack.
“We will be facing a different challenge,” Hlungwani said, adding: “Quarterfinals rugby is different.
“The Bulls will come out to prove a point.”
He added: “It is always tough playing the Bulls. They have two good locks [Ruan Nortje and Ruan Vermaak] and a good set-piece system.
“It is never easy against them and we are not expecting any less this weekend.”
