Stormers Face Setback As Kitshoff’s Injury Raises Concerns
DHL Stormers director John Dobson has expressed concern over the future of Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff, who recently underwent neck fusion surgery.
Kitshoff, who returned to the Stormers from Ulster, suffered a serious neck injury during the Currie Cup match against Griquas in September. Despite successful surgery, the long-term implications of the injury remain uncertain.
“You guys you ill-informed a lot of people out there. But the C1, C2 fusion is one of the most complex neck fusions there is,” Dobson replied to Sportswire after they lost to the Sharks in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
“Anybody can tell you; it’s going to be dependent on the neck fuses. The operation just happened. You don’t fuse your next unless there is a chance and the fusion is done to play.
“We now have to wait and see if the operation went well. But it’s worse place to have neck fusion. It is too high up – its C1 and C2. The way things are, we just have to respect the protocols; we genuinely don’t know now.”
Dobson emphasized that the surgery was necessary to address the issue and potentially allow Kitshoff to continue his rugby career. However, the recovery process will be lengthy and challenging.
“But he had a fuse for a reason and he could have walked and never had played if he had another operation. So, we got to see with the operation and what is he going to be after the operation,” he said.
The Stormers are already dealing with several injury concerns, including utility back Damian Willemse, who fractured his finger early in the season.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus called him for the outgoing tour in the Autumn Nations Series in October, but he was pulled out due to a groin injury and his place was taken by Cameron Hanekom who earned his first call-up to the national side.
Stormers are also without Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, and Evan Roos. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu suffered head concussion against the Sharks and failed the HIA test and was ruled out of the game.
He was replaced by Manie Libbok. Chances are slim that Feinberg-Mngomezulu will form part of the Stormers when they launch the European Cup – The Investec Cup – against French giants Toulon this coming weekend at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
