Springbok Prop Steven Kitshoff Will Join Ulster Rugby After World Cup

Ulster Rugby announced today that South Africa’s loosehead prop, Steven Kitshoff, will be joining the Irish club.

The club said that after much speculation, the 30-year-old prop “who stormed to success in the 2019 Rugby World Cup as part of the infamous ‘Bomb Squad’, is to officially become one of the Ulster men on a 3-year deal after the RWC 2023.”

Currently captain for DHL Stormers, Kitshoff has represented South Africa 73 times, and clearly hopes to repeat his success at the Rugby World Cup in 2023.

After that, the 6ft front-rower will make Ulster his home until at least the summer of 2026.

Living abroad isn’t new to Kitshoff who played for Bordeaux Bégles in France between 2015 and 2017.

Ulster is looking forward to Kitshoff bringing world-class experience to the squad and the team’s young front-rowers in the years to come.

Head Coach, Dan McFarland, said:

“We are excited that a player of Steven’s quality has chosen to be part of the journey we are on as a club. As one of the best players in his position in the game right now, he will bring a world-class edge to our front row which will benefit our squad now, and in the development of our younger players as they come through the Ulster system.

“His set piece excellence and the physical edge to his play will, together with his winning mindset, be a real asset to us when he joins us next season, and we look forward to welcoming him to the province.”

Kitshoff said:

“It’s clear that Ulster is on an exciting journey, and it’s one that I want to be a part of. With some big wins recently, it’s my ambition to be part of the squad that takes that next step and secures silverware for the province.

“I’m really looking forward to making the move to Belfast next year. It’s going to be a change, but I know, from everything I’ve heard, that when I line out for the first time in front of a home crowd at Kingspan Stadium in an Ulster jersey, it’s going to be a really special moment.”