Ox Nche's back-up ... Who is next line to fill Steven Kitshoff's boots at the Springboks

Steven Kitshoff’s shock retirement from rugby leaves a significant void at loosehead prop for the Springboks, not only in terms of the quality but also in experience.

With 83 Test caps and two Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023 under his belt, Kitshoff was not just a passenger for Rassie Erasmus’ Boks. He made huge contributions to the cause, whether starting or part of the famed bomb squad. 

His departure due to a career-ending neck injury naturally raises questions about the depth of South Africa’s loosehead prop stocks, especially two years out from the Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Fortunately, the Springboks and Rassie Erasmus have been cultivating a robust pipeline of talent. While few can immediately replicate Kitshoff’s performances on the field, his departure from the international scene hardly crippled the Boks.

The powerful Ox Nche, who has already established himself as a world-class loosehead, already stepped into the breach in 2024, delivering awesome performances as the senior player in the No 1 jersey.

His uncompromising scrumming and his bullocking runs down the middle made him the best loosehead prop last year. At 29, he also has quite a few years ahead of him to help anchor the Boks’ scrum for the foreseeable future. 

Behind Nche, there are more than a handful of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents who can also step into the breach.

One of those players is 29-year-old Gerhard Steenekamp who made his mark with a fantastic rookie season in 2024. Steenekamp got his big break in Kitshoff’s absence and has gone from strength to strength since getting a taste of international rugby against Ireland last year.

This year he has also shown his power in the United Rugby Championship in a strong Bulls scrum. Erasmus will be loving the fact that Steenekamp’s ceiling is higher than previously thought.

Elsewhere, the dependable and versatile Thomas du Toit has also been knocking hard for a regular place in the Bok.

While he’s primarily been utilised at tighthead in recent years, his ability to play both sides of the scrum gives Erasmus that extra flexibility.. Du Toit’s experience of playing in different conditions and against different opponents around the world is also invaluable.

However, there are also plenty of youngsters to look out for. 

Another Jack of all trades in the front row is Jan-Hendrik Wessels, who at 23 has featured at both hooker and loosehead prop for the Boks. Wessels is very mobile and gets around the park with his athleticism. But he is also a strong lad, who has a massive future in the green and gold.  His Bulls teammate, the 21-year-old Ruben van Heerden, is another one to look out for in the future.

At the Sharks, Ntuthuko Mchunu produced to workmanlike performances when he has been called up for the Boks The 25-year-old can still get better as an operator in the scrum - he is learning from the best in Nche - but he also gets about the park with his strong runs and good support play.

All in all, the Springboks loosehead stocks are still very much in space. While Kitshoff’s departure is a massive blow, the waiting line for that No 1 jersey is still pretty long.

@JohnGoliath82