A DAY IN CAPE TOWN WITH STEVEN AND AIMEE KITSHOFF
We spent a day in Cape Town with Stormers’s Steven Kitshoff and his wife, Aimee Kitshoff as they share the secrets to their phenomenal partnership.
Nothing can rain on the parade of Steven and Aimee Kitshoff since the Stormers captain steered his hometown to victory in the United Rugby Championship. Of all those he humbly credits for his success, it’s this partnership with Aimee that’s his chief inspiration.
We joined the avid golfer for a more weather-friendly game of putt-putt at Cave Golf by the V&A Waterfront.
“We’re quite an active couple, we like being outdoors and never sitting still, especially when you travel, it keeps you busy and it keeps you young,” says Aimee. Though Kitsie’s trophy cabinet is full, he begs to differ on who is the greater competitor.
“Steven is very competitive but he has very good sportsmanship, he takes a loss well and he’s a gracious winner.” Finding hidden gems is Aimee’s profession as co-owner of a luxury travel company, and one of these gems is Gavin Hagger’s place – Jerry’s Burger Bar.
After two years playing in France’s food and wine heartland of for Bordeaux, Steven still enjoys a good burger. While at Jerry’s enjoying a fun burger-making competition, the couple looked back at Steven’s 30th birthday celebration.
“What he has given to South African rugby by 30-years-old is remarkable” says John Dobson, Head Coach of Stormers Rugby. All the attention aside, simple pleasures are still the couple’s favourite.
The Kitshoffs’ favourite holidays are spent wakeboarding with friends in Langebaan but a close second is anything involving horses. In this case, pony rides to benefit rescue horses at Oude Molen Stables.
Although Aimee grew up with horses, it was Steven’s first time getting up on the saddle and with his wife’s encouragement, he did a terrific job. Rider safety is non-negotiable and to Aimee, animal welfare merits the same attention.
Steven’s belief is that hard work will always beat talent if talent doesn’t work hard enough. Having led his team into next year’s Champions Cup, Kitsie’s proving a steady hand on the reins.
Here’s to one of the happiest, most successful of partnerships and all it may bring – for The Kitshoffs and our country.
