Steven Kitshoff has been forced to retire from rugby after a serious neck injury, his club Stormers announced.

South Africa prop Steven Kitshoff has announced his retirement from all rugby because of a serious neck injury that he said in an interview last year left him “two millimeters” from death.

Springbok legend Steven Kitshoff has announced his immediate retirement due to a serious neck injury. Read more about his incredible career and legacy.

Two-time World Cup-winning South African prop Steven Kitshoff said he is walking away with “so many incredible memories” after retiring due to a serious neck injury. The 33-year-old, capped 83 times and a pivotal member of the 2019 and 2023 World Cup-winning sides,

The prop revealed late last year that the incident during a Currie Cup game that caused his injury had very nearly taken his life. "It was just another scrum, then three cracking noises - pop, pop, pop," Kitshoff told Rapport newspaper.

Springboks prop Steven Kitshoff has been forced into retirement at the age of 33 by a serious neck injury. The loosehead underwent stabilising surgery last year after sustaining the issue playing for Western Province last year.

Double World Cup winning prop forward Steven Kitshoff has been forced to retire from rugby after a serious neck injury, his club Stormers announced on Tuesday.

Veteran Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff officially retired on Tuesday, 25 February 2025, after a serious neck injury meant he was unable to continue.