Steven Kitshoff: Two-time World Cup winner ready for biggest night of young Ulster career

Less than two months ago, Steven Kitshoff was on top of the world, looking down on the rest with his fellow Springboks.

Most players can only dream of getting their hands on the World Cup. Kitshoff has done it twice with South Africa.

This year was different, though. In 2019, the loose-head prop returned to his beloved Stormers in Cape Town after the Boks' World Cup triumph in Japan. After this year's tournament in France, though, Kitshoff knew that, after a well-earned post-World Cup break, he was headed for Belfast and a new adventure as Ulster's marquee signing.

His arrival continues the strong link between Ulster and South African rugby, with Kitshoff adding his name to a list that includes Marcell Coetzee, Ruan Pienaar, Johann Muller and, most recently, his fellow two-time World Cup winner Duane Vermeulen.

Off the pitch, Kitshoff - whose nicknames include Kitshie and, curiously, The Spicy Plum - has settled in well. Before he moved, he spoke with Vermeulen and Coetzee, both of whom offered glowing recollections about their time in Belfast - and the Guinness.

He has enjoyed a pint of the "amazing" black stuff since arriving, but has been focused on forging a new path for himself at Kingspan Stadium after helping the Boks conquer the international game.

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Of course, given his profile, Kitshoff - who spent two years in France with Bordeaux between 2015 and 2017 - was not short of options when he decided to leave Stormers, so even with his fellow countrymen singing Belfast's praises, why Ulster? Well, it was, he says, an opportunity to "explore the world a bit and broaden my horizons".

Although when Kitshoff first felt pangs of wanderlust back in South Africa, he probably didn't imagine he would satisfy them by marvelling at a big yellow crane on a Belfast taxi tour. But yet here he is, determined to make the most of the experience in his new home.

"I'm enjoying it," the 31-year-old tells BBC Sport NI's Gavin Andrews while taking in the sights of Belfast, a stubborn winter sun beaming through the taxi's windows.

"The people are super-friendly, welcoming and warm-hearted so it's been amazing from the minute I got here.

"They've welcomed me with open arms."

Kitshoff is yet to taste victory as an Ulster player having lost his first three games to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bath

Speaking of open arms, Kitshoff has been scrummaging away during a frustrating start to life on the pitch with Ulster. He knew adapting to his new surroundings was never going to be an instant process, but he and his new team-mates have been severely tested during a difficult run which has seen the Bok lose his first three games - to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bath.

In a way, this is what Kitshoff wanted. He obviously doesn't want to lose games with Ulster, but he yearned for a new experience that would challenge him and stop him from falling into a "comfort zone" with Stormers.

He has gotten just that and now faces his biggest match since arriving at Ulster: against French giants Racing 92, under the lights at Kingspan Stadium, in a crucial Champions Cup Pool 2 encounter.

One of the biggest draws for Kitshoff at Ulster was the glamour of knockout European rugby, so to miss out on that in his first season would sting.

"It is," he says when asked if this week is massive for Ulster, for whom defeat on Saturday would represent a hammer blow to their hopes of reaching the last 16.

"Emotionally, we've been through a tough time the last three weeks and just to get a win over one of the French giants would be massive.

"For us, it's about doing the work well. We've had good first-half performances over the last three weeks but haven't been able to finish it. This is an opportunity to put up a full 80-minute performance."

'Ulster can end long wait for trophies'

It is coming on 25 years since Ulster's famous European Cup triumph in 1999 while they have not won a domestic title since 2006.

There have been close calls: twice runners-up in the Pro 12/14 and beaten finalists in the 2012 European Cup.

While the current crop have struggled in recent weeks, Kitshoff - who captained Stormers to the inaugural United Rugby Championship in 2022 - firmly believes the current squad boast trophy-winning potential.

"100%," he says with authority. "The personnel is there but it's about putting it all together and building confidence.

"It's not far off I can promise you. I'm not too worried about what's happened over the last three weeks.

"It's disappointing and heartbreaking to not win home games or your first game in Europe not going too well, but it's so close."

Kitshoff will come up against his Springboks captain Siya Kolisi on Saturday with the back row having joined Racing 92 after the World Cup

As for his international career, Kitshoff feels a strong body of work with Ulster will help keep him in the frame for the Boks during the 2027 World Cup cycle as he targets an unprecedented third Webb Ellis Cup.

And as fate would have it, he comes up against his Springboks captain Siya Kolisi in Belfast on Saturday, with the back row having also left South Africa for Europe after the World Cup.

"I'm quite excited to see Siya," says a smiling Kitshoff on facing Kolisi and Top 14 leaders Racing, who also have South Africa's Trevor Nyakane in their ranks.

"It looks like he's being settling in very well in Paris, so I'm very happy for him. He's been an exceptional leader for the Boks for the last four or five years.

"What he accomplished with his ACL tear and then being back within four months and leading the team the way he did was exceptional.

"I'm extremely proud of the person he's become and I'm looking forward to bashing him a bit this weekend!"