The Rugby World Cup-winner is no stranger to the leadership role, having captained the DHL Stormers and Western Province regularly over the last year and, going forward, he will be supported by new vice-captain, Salmaan Moerat.

Kitshoff made his DHL Stormers debut in 2012 as a fresh-faced 19-year-old and has since accumulated 101 caps for the team he grew up supporting.

The experiened Springbok prop officially takes over the captaincy role vacated when Siya Kolisi moved to the Cell C Sharks.

Moerat also has extensive leadership experience, although still only 23, having captained SA Schools, the Junior Springboks and DHL Western Province U19 before leading the DHL Stormers in two of their preparation matches this year.

DHL Stormers head coach John Dobson said that having a player of Kitshoff’s stature commit his future and lead the team, while ably supported by Moerat is hugely significant.

“Steven is a world-class player on top of his game who has the respect of everyone in the rugby world. To have a person of his calibre and deep connection to this team as our talisman going forward is immense,” said Dobson.

“Both Steven and Salmaan are proud products of our youth system and are inspirational figures both in our squad and for our faithful supporters.

"Their decision to remain with the DHL Stormers is testimony to the good developmental work that has been carried out over the decades. We look forward to continue building off the rock-solid foundation they will provide for our team."

Moerat is one of a number of players who are still under contract with WPPR until at least 2022, along with the likes of Herschel Jantjies, Warrick Gelant, Ruhan Nel, Sergeal Petersen, Marcel Theunissen, David Meihuizen and Rikus Pretorius.

Kitshoff’s extension comes on the back of key players such as Damian Willemse, Scarra Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, Seabelo Senatla, Neethling Fouche, Sazi Sandi, Leon Lyons, Nama Xaba, Kwenzo Blose and Evan Roos all committing their future to DHL Western Province and the Stormers.