Steven Kitshoff to Depart Ulster Rugby
Ulster Rugby’s two-time South African World Cup winner, Steven Kitshoff, is preparing to bid farewell to the province as the current season concludes. The decision comes after a mutual agreement between the player and the club to terminate his contract.
Background
Kitshoff, a seasoned loosehead prop with 83 international caps at 32 years of age, joined Ulster as a marquee signing on a three-year contract following the 2023 World Cup. Despite his impressive performance in the twelve games he played for the team, both parties have opted to part ways for various reasons.
Implications
Kitshoff’s departure, along with other players being released at the season’s end and recent changes in coaching and executive positions at Ulster, opens up opportunities for the club to address gaps in their squad effectively.
Having been a key player in South Africa’s successful World Cup campaigns in 2019 and 2023, Kitshoff’s transition to Ulster has presented challenges. The player has faced the strain of frequent travel between South Africa and Ireland to be with his family, while Ulster navigates commercial difficulties over the past two years.
