Two-time World Cup-winning Springbok Steven Kitshoff has opened up further on his severe neck injury that is threatening to end his career.
After a horror spell with Ulster, the prop returned to Cape Town and during a knee injury comeback, he suffered a serious neck injury in a Currie Cup game for Western Province against Griquas.
“Pop, pop, pop”
Kitshoff revealed in conversation with Rapport that he initially did not understand the severity of the situation and played on. Fast-track a couple of months and the loosehead has successfully undergone surgery and the surgeon gave a sobering report of just how close the Springbok was to death.
“It was just another scrum, then three cracking sounds – pop, pop, pop,” Kitshoff recalled. “I played on, thinking it was a muscle strain,”
“Today I know: I was two millimetres from a catastrophe, from my death.
“The first thing the specialist said to me was: ‘Listen, you’re lucky we didn’t bury you in a week.’ Because the vertebra that shifted is so close to my brain canal,” he said.
“Without the operation, I’d never play rugby again.”
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Desperate to return
The veteran superstar remains intent on returning to the sport despite the severity of the injury as he hopes to find a way back into the Springboks set-up that is desperate to complete the three-peat of World Cups.
Kitshoff insists if he gets the green light he will play but also acknowledges that if he needs to give up the game he is happy with what he achieved on the field.
“I’ll see the specialist in January to assess my recovery. If my neck holds up, I’m going for it,” he said.
“If I have to retire, I’ll be satisfied. But I’m not done yet – I’ve always been a warrior for my team.
“Rugby’s a dangerous sport, but I’ll give my all because I’m fighting for my team.”
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/i-was-two-millimetres-from-a-catastrophe-steven-kitshoff-reveals-more-on-his-neck-injury-and-opens-up-on-his-playing-future
