Steven Kitshoff in action for the Stormers against Munster in their URC clash in Cape Town last month. Picture: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images
Stormers captain and legend Steven Kitshoff will get a third and final goodbye at Cape Town Stadium when his side hosts Munster in the United Rugby Championship (URC) trophy battle next week.
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Kitshoff, who is leaving for fellow URC side Ulster at the end of the season, was expected to have his home farewell in their URC quarterfinal against the Bulls, with Ulster and Leinster then having home ground advantage for the semis and final.
But Connacht upset Ulster and Munster stunned Leinster to afford the Springbok prop two more games in front of the home faithful, with this now his final appearance in Cape Town before the move to Ireland.
“The stars have aligned for us to have another farewell. But it’s all about the rugby over the next two weeks and getting all our stuff in order and understanding what Munster brings,” said Kitshoff.
“I think the emotion will definitely come in afterwards but for now, it’s about getting the alignment of the team and management all 100 percent focused on the game.
“For us, it was about getting over these two (knockout) hurdles and having a full go at the trophy again and trying to defend it with everything that we’ve got. So it’s pretty special to play a grand final (at home).”
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Kitshoff believes the final will be decided by small margins as they come up against a team they have never beaten in the URC.
Last season they were beaten by Munster in Limerick in the pool phase, and this season they were surprisingly beaten by them at home to end a 16-month unbeaten run at Cape Town Stadium last month.
“When you get to a final, the margins are quite small, so you have to be spot on with the way you execute,” explained Kitshoff.
“Sometimes the really big occasions get to players, but we have a long time to prep. It is going to be crucial for us to get everything on point, as the game could be decided on small margins, meaning a kick here or there, like the (Munster v Leinster) semi-final at the Aviva was.
“Thinking back to our last Munster game, we had a slow start. We conceded two tries and then fought our way back only to be unable to finish.
“We didn’t use our opportunities to come away with points and the Munster defence was excellent. There were a lot of opportunities that they didn’t take in their game against Leinster.”
The Stormers will, however, be confident of overturning that two-point loss against Munster when the defending champs host their second URC final in as many seasons.
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