Stephen Ferris and [inset] Steven Kitshoff Want all the latest Sports news direct to your inbox? Share your email for the biggest headlines, transfer news and more More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Want all the latest Sports news direct to your inbox? Share your email for the biggest headlines, transfer news and more Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice The news of Steven Kitshoff impending departure from Ulster has sparked much debate, but Stephen Ferris joked he doesn't blame the prop for deciding to return to
South Africa given the weather in Northern Ireland! Ferris made the quip whilst doing analysis of Ulster's Challenge Cup clash against Montpellier for Viaplay on Sunday. The former Ulster forward referenced the unanswered questions regarding the two-time
World Cup winner's decision to leave the province only six months into a three-year deal, but added it has probably panned out best for all parties. "I don't blame him because it hasn't stopped raining in Belfast since he's arrived," said Ferris when asked about Kitshoff's departure. "Believe it or not i think he arrived in Belfast on November 20 and 19 weeks later he's going back to the Stormers...what's the reasons? Read next: Former Ulster star slams Montpellier's 'appalling' discipline in Challenge Cup clash "There's lots of fans out there giving their opinion on why he's leaving, but I think it's a combination of four or five different factors, one of those being finances. Obviously we know Ulster Rugby have come out publicly saying they need to balance the books and they need to get things back on track. He's obviously on a hefty salary so that's likely to be one of the reasons. "Has he settled in Belfast and is there a bit of homesickness as well? Do Ulster really need a loosehead prop at this moment in time as well? Probably not. I think Ulster Rugby, Steven Kitshoff and his family and the Stormers will all be happy at how this has panned out. " A part of me feels a bit sorry for him because he's walked into a team that's struggling. They've lost their head coach and CEO and there's absolute turmoil in there so it hasn't been an easy ride for Steven Kitshoff." Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow BelfastLive
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