Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus opened up on how celebrated prop Steven Kitshoff was about to be named captain, but he had to go back on the decision.
Kitshoff was a vital cog in the Springboks machine under the guidance of Erasmus when they won back-to-back Rugby World Cups in Japan in 2019 and in France in 2023.
However, the 33-year-old announced his retirement last month after sustaining a life-threatening neck injury while on Currie Cup duty for Western Province last year.
Erasmus was in conversation with Kitshoff and sports physician Jon Patricios, who were his guests on his Rassie+ podcast, when he revealed how Kitshoff was initially going to lead the Boks in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Argentina in Buenos Aires in 2023 before he eventually handed the captaincy to Bongi Mbonambi.
“I actually even one time promised him, and I must say he’s one of the guys that handled it the best, I promised him the captaincy,” said Erasmus.
“I said, ‘Kitsie, if nothing changes, you’re probably going to be Springbok captain next week.’ He wasn’t captain. Never even asked me again. Just pitched up for training.”
Kitshoff represented South Africa as a loosehead prop in 83 Tests between 2016 and 2024 and captained the Stormers when they were crowned the inaugural United Rugby Championship champions in 2022.
He expanded on Erasmus’ decision not to hand him the captaincy for that clash with Los Pumas.
“Rassie came to me and said, ‘listen, if everything goes to plan, no injuries, you’re looking good after this weekend, you’ll probably captain us against Argentina,'” said Kitshoff.
“And then in that week, he realised – I think either medical staff or someone told him – ‘listen, Kitsie’s been playing a lot of minutes back-to-back every weekend.’
“Then he turned around and said, ‘listen, Kitsie, I think you’re more important to us for New Zealand in two weeks’ time. I’m going to keep you out of the squad this weekend. You’re going to run water, run touch, carry all the messages, play a massive role in the game, but we’re going to give Bongi the captaincy.’
“I understood what my role was for that weekend so I enjoyed Argentina.
“I had a bit more drinks on Wednesday with the steak, and then I could only focus on carrying messages onto the field.”
