Stormers fill Steven Kitshoff’s void with ‘devastating’ Springboks prop from rivals
The Stormers have snapped up the services of a Springboks prop to fill Steven Kitshoff’s void.
In a massive coup for the union, the Stormers have announced the signing of Sharks and Springboks loosehead prop Ntuthuko Mchunu.
In the wake of Steven Kitshoff’s retirement from professional rugby due to a serious neck injury, Stormers‘ boss John Dobson stated that the club would need to do some recruitment and have landed the signature of the most promising looseheads in the country.
Ntuthuko Mchunu leaves Sharks
The 25-year-old has played three times for the Springboks since making his Test debut against Wales back in 2022 in Bloemfontein and has been a consistent performer for the Sharks.
However, he has found starting minutes at the Durban-based franchise hard to come by with Springboks star and World Cup-winner Ox Nche ahead of him in the pecking order.
Mchunu has been earmarked as a real prospect of South African rugby and will be looking to take the next step in his career in Cape Town from next season.
With Brok Harris joining Kitshoff in retirement at the end of the season, Mchunu adds depth to the loosehead side of the scrum along with the likes of Ali Vermaak, Sti Sithole and Vernon Matongo.
“Ntuthuko has played rugby at the highest level at a very young age and we are really looking forward to seeing him develop his game further here,” director of rugby Dobson said.
“He can be devastating in loose play as a really athletic loosehead and working with the likes of Frans Malherbe and Neethling Fouche each week can only make him a better prop.
“At just 25 the future is bright for Ntuthuko and we are thrilled that he decided this was the best place for him to realise that considerable potential.”
Fantastic opportunity
The Stormers’ new signing added: “This is a fantastic opportunity to work with some of the best players and coaches around and take my game to the next level.
“The DHL Stormers environment seems a special one from the outside and I want to get involved and contribute everything I can when I join at the end of the season.”
It is reported that Bok front rower Lizo Gqoboka will also leave the Stormers at the end of the season after not being offered a contract extension while the franchise is reportedly interested in Corne Lavagna who plies his trade with Griquas.
The Stormers are also set to bid farewell to scrum-half Hershel Jantjies who has signed with French club Bayonne while Joseph Dweba is likely to join Exeter Chiefs.
