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Boks handed fresh concern as Kitshoff suffers season-ending injury
By Josh Raisey
South Africa loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff has played his last game for Ulster, as the United Rugby Championship club confirmed he picked up a season-ending knee injury against ASM Clermont Auvergne in the Challenge Cup recently.
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The 32-year-old missed Ulster’s recent win over Cardiff in the URC, but Ulster had not revealed the severity of the injury until Tuesday, where they confirmed that he will see a specialist in South Africa.
An Ulster injury update read: “Steven Kitshoff suffered a knee injury against Clermont in the EPCR Challenge Cup Quarter-Final fixture and following a scan and specialist opinion it has been determined that unfortunately this is season- ending.
“He will travel back to South Africa this week, where he will see a knee specialist to decide on the required treatment plan.”
Ulster also confirmed that centre James Hume suffered a significant knee injury against Cardiff and will see a specialist knee surgeon this week. Jake Flannery (thigh), Tom O’Toole (ankle) and Nathan Doak (groin) will also be monitored before the visit from Benetton on Friday.
Kitshoff had already agreed his move away from Belfast at the end of the season before picking up the injury in the Challenge Cup. The double World Cup winner will return to the Stormers, whom he joined from after the Springboks’ World Cup triumph last year.
While the prop will miss the rest of Ulster’s season, there is clarification as to how long he will be out of action.
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South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus will face a nervous wait to find out the results from the specialist, with world number twos and Guinness Six Nations champions Ireland touring South Africa in July.
Kitshoff will be a significant loss to the Springboks if he is ruled out of that series and the Rugby Championship beyond, as he will be for Ulster for the rest of the URC season as they chase a top-eight finish.
very unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher.
Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?