Jesse Kriel opens up on his partnership with veteran Springbok Damian de Allende, and why Saturday’s Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse milestones mean so much.
The 32-year-old Kriel will line up alongside De Allende in a Nations Championship clash that will also see fellow double World Cup winners Kolbe and Willemse reach 50 Test caps.
And Kriel, who will earn his 88th cap this weekend, says there is no danger of motivation dipping this deep into his career.
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“My motivation hasn’t changed over the years. It’s to play and represent my country. If not, I think the motivation just gets more and more as you go on,” he told reporters.
“When you’re young you don’t think it will ever come to an end and when you get older you realise that you can only play until a certain age so each day gets more and more special.
“I think we’ve also got a really special group of guys who have come a long way together and continue to try and build something special. It’s so lekker here every day just spending time with some of your best friends and guys that you really enjoy going to work with. I don’t think there’s any lack of motivation for me.
“It’s just representing my country and trying to make my teammates proud.”
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De Allende, eight Tests away from a century of caps, will once again partner Kriel in midfield, a combination the latter holds in high regard.
“It’s such a privilege to be able to watch him do what he does on the field,” Kriel said. “I always say that the best players always look like they’ve got so much time on the ball.
“First of all, he’s very selfless, always puts a team first and he really loves his team. He’s a very special player.”
On right wing Kolbe and fullback Willemse’s achievements, Kriel had nothing but praise.
“Again, two really, really special people. Both are great human beings and, like Damian [de Allende], very selfless guys that are properly obsessed with the game and with rugby and performing well for the Springboks,” he said.
“I think again, two guys that always put the team first and I get to see first hand. I’m obviously with Cheslin every day in Japan and I get to see the work he puts in there when no one’s watching.
“And then a guy like Damian Willemse, a proper student of the game and just so competitive and always just wants to be the best. I think it [50 caps] couldn’t have happened to two better guys.
“I know that they won’t want to make this weekend about themselves. They are both just focused on getting the result for South Africa and performing well. So very proud of them.”
Photo: Juan Jose Gasparini/Gallo Images
The post Kriel on what drives Bok backline warhorses appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Jesse Kriel opens up on his partnership with veteran Springbok Damian de Allende, and why Saturday’s Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse milestones mean so much.
The post Kriel on what drives Bok backline warhorses appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
