Former Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff has officially launched his memoir, Kitsie, reflecting on a career defined by team commitment and his forced retirement following a neck injury.

Kitshoff was in conversation with journalist Michael Vlismas on September 22 at Exclusive Books in Rosebank Mall to launch the book.

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The memoir charts his journey from schoolboy prodigy in the Western Cape to captaining the Stormers and reaching the pinnacle of international rugby as part of the team that won two consecutive World Cups under Siya Kolisi’s leadership.

The big man, nicknamed ‘Kitsie’ and ‘Spicy Plum’, delves into the magic of the bomb-squad strategy, his forced retirement due to a neck injury and finding purpose after rugby.

The former rugby player reflected on a sporting journey that began in primary school.

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“I started as a loose forward in primary school, which was my principal’s instruction. He asked for my position to change to the front row and said I’d have a career one day. I didn’t want to be there; I wanted to be at the back of the scrum because I enjoyed the physicality, carrying the ball, and the rest became history,” Kitshoff said.

He explained that writing the memoir came at the right time for him as a way to share lessons gained from the sport.

“It was a way to document my memories and stories, which will hopefully inspire the next person. The book is also a nice way to bid farewell to my career on the field as a player,” he said.

The book is available nationwide online and at Exclusive Books.

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