Ulster's new World Cup winning Springbok, Steven Kitshoff, spoke to the media for the first time about settling into his new club and how he is excited about his first European match against Racing 92. The clash also sees Kitshoff reunite with his Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, who joined Racing 92 following their World Cup victory.
"I watched the Racing Harlequins game in really big detail over the weekend. I spent my Sunday night watching the game. Watching Siya that one game, he's a massive attacking threat when he gets the ball in hand, quite dangerous. Defensively he's solid, he's a threat at the breakdown. I haven't seen his lineout skills tested yet.
Siya is an awesome player, Trevor Nyakane has been playing off the bench but I know he'll be involved this weekend. They're two massive South African ball carriers, brute-force players. If Siya has an on-day, we'll have our hands full."
When asked how he is adapting to life in Belfast Steven Kitshoff said: "The obvious one is the weather. The people in Belfast are super friendly and super helpful. I love the greenery. I love being 10 minutes away from training and having such an awesome training facility. It's been awesome."
Not having my family close by is quite difficult, we'll make a plan to see them down the line, have them here to experience what we are here."
Steven Kitshoff said "I think the honeymoon phase was how friendly and welcoming the team was. It was quite nerve-wracking coming off a brilliant Stormers campaign, having success at the World Cup and then joining a brand new team. I know Rob Herring from back in the day but that was about it."
As I got here the first day, everyone was super friendly, and super helpful, a good environment to work in and train in, with great coaching. It was a blessing to be embraced like that. The honeymoon phase is over, it's about focusing on rugby and playing proper, decent rugby."
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