RUGBY NEWS - The DHL Stormers have done much better at retaining their top players than many anticipated and on Monday they pulled off the biggest coup yet by announcing a three year contract extension their Springbok World Cup winning prop Steven Kitshoff.
Simultaneous to the announcement that Kitshoff will join fellow Bok first choice front-row man Frans Malherbe in extending his employment at Western Province Professional Rugby, the world rated loosehead, considered by many to be the finest in the game in his position, was confirmed as Stormers captain.
There was plenty of speculation towards the end of last year that the Stormers would lose the bulk of their World Cup winning front-row to either overseas clubs or other South African franchises, but while a move for Bongi Mbonambi to the Cell C Sharks still looks possible, the two strong men are staying put for the next three seasons.
That should come as a tremendous boost for coach John Dobson, who it is rumoured is being sought after by overseas clubs and who was looking for assurances that he would retain most of his marquee players as he maps the way forward for the Cape’s premier team.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has of course left for the Sharks, Mbonambi may follow him and there is uncertainty over Pieter-Steph du Toit’s plans but the Stormers at least know they have the continued services of their two first choice props, plus the quality back-up players in those positions who signed contracts in recent weeks. If nothing else, it should enable the Stormers/WP to retain their reputation as a strong scrumming franchise/union.
With Kitshoff likely to be away on international duty quite a bit over the next year, it is interesting to note that a fellow member of the Stormers tight five, Salmaan Moerat, has been named as Kitshoff’s regular vice-captain. The former Junior Bok and SA Schools captain led the Stormers in some of their preparation phase games and said afterwards he would like further leadership opportunities.
Kitshoff himself has led the Stormers often, and has done a great job of taking the captaincy armband when it has been necessary. One of those first occasions was in a magnificent upset win over the Rebels in Melbourne in early 2019, a game where a depleted and beleaguered Stormers team was given no chance, but he also led the Stormers well when Kolisi was injured in 2020.
Kitshoff has accumulated 101 Stormers caps since making his debut as a fresh-faced 19-year-old straight out of school in 2012.
“Steven is a world-class player on top of his game who has the respect of everyone in the rugby world. To have a person of his calibre and deep connection to this team as our talisman going forward is immense,” said Dobson.
“Both Steven and Salmaan are proud products of our youth system and are inspirational figures both in our squad and for our faithful supporters. Their decision to remain with the DHL Stormers is testimony to the good developmental work that has been carried out over the decades. We look forward to continuing to build off the rock-solid foundation they will provide for our team.”
Moerat is one of a number of players who are still under contract with WPPR until at least 2022, along with the likes of Herschel Jantjies, Warrick Gelant, Ruhan Nel, Sergeal Petersen, Marcel Theunissen, David Meihuizen and Rikus Pretorius.
Kitshoff's extension comes on the back of key players such as Damian Willemse, Scarra Ntubeni, Malherbe, Seabelo Senatla, Neethling Fouche, Sazi Sandi, Leon Lyons, Nama Xaba, Kwenzo Blose and Evan Roos all committing their future to WPPR.
