Springboks prop Steven Kitshoff reveals he was close to death due to a serious neck injury but remains determined to continue his rugby career
City: Cape Town:
So, you won’t believe what happened to Springboks prop Steven Kitshoff. He was told he was just “two millimetres from death” after a serious neck injury. Can you imagine? He’s been through a lot but is still keen to keep playing rugby.
It all went down during a Currie Cup match in September. He heard three cracking sounds in his neck during a scrum but thought it was just a muscle strain. He played on, not realizing how serious it was.
Fast forward two months, and he had major surgery to fuse two cervical vertebrae. Thankfully, the operation went well, and now he’s aiming to get back on the field if everything goes smoothly.
In an interview, he shared how close he came to a real disaster. A surgeon told him he was lucky to be alive. The vertebra that shifted was dangerously close to his brain canal. Without that surgery, he wouldn’t be able to play rugby again.
Despite the scare, Kitshoff is eyeing a return to the Springboks for the next Rugby World Cup in 2027. He’ll be 35 then, but he’s not ready to hang up his boots just yet. He’s a fighter and wants to keep going as long as he can.
He’s set to see a specialist in January to check on his recovery. If all goes well, he’s ready to jump back in. But he’s also realistic. If he has to retire, he’ll accept it. Still, he’s got that warrior spirit and is all in for his team.
Rugby can be risky, but Kitshoff is ready to give it his all. He’s fighting for his team, and you’ve got to respect that!