Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Kitshoff in for Ulster next year
ULSTER have confirmed the high-profile signing of South African loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff on a three-year deal.
The 30-year-old Springbok will officially join the province after next year’s World Cup and the club announced the news with a brilliant editing job of a scene from the American Psycho movie.
Kitshoff – part of the South Africa team that stormed to victory at the 2019 World Cup – will join from DHL Stormers.
The 6ft front-rower, who has made 73 appearances for his country, has played most of his career in South Africa, with early success coming as part of the Western Province team that won the 2012 Currie Cup.
He has made the No.1 jersey at Stormers his own as captain of the club after having had an overseas spell in France for Bordeaux Begles from 20152017.
Ulster head coach Dan Mcfarland (inset) said: “We are excited that a player of Steven’s quality has chosen to be part of the journey we are on as a club.
“As one of the best players in his position in the game right now he will bring a world-class edge to our front row which will benefit our squad now and in the development of our younger players as they come through the Ulster system.”
Kitshoff added: “It’s clear that Ulster is on an exciting journey and it’s one that I want to be a part of. With some big wins recently, it’s my ambition to be part of the squad that takes that next step and secures silverware for the province.
“I’m really looking forward to making the move to Belfast next year. It’s going to be a change but I know, from everything I’ve heard, that when I line out for the first time in front of a home crowd at Kingspan Stadium in an Ulster jersey it’s going to be a really special moment.”