Kriel the Boks secret weapon?

Ex Supersport

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer is a firm believer that experience will win the Springboks the World Cup, but in youngster Jesse Kriel he has found a talent too good to ignore.

The 21-year-old has been one of the few highlights for the Springboks in an otherwise disappointing international season leading up to the World Cup.

Kriel's counter-attacking style, combining electric pace with slick, innovative handling, create danger for opponents from the most innocuous situations, adding much-needed unpredictability to the Boks' attack.

Though Kriel was used as a fullback by the Bulls during the Super Rugby season, Boks' coach Meyer believes his best position is outside centre. Kriel filled the No 13 jersey against Australia and New Zealand in this year's Rugby Championship, scoring superb solo tries in both games before being shifted to the wing for the surprise defeat against Argentina.

If regular captain Jean de Villiers is fit for the knockout stages of the tournament, Kriel is likely to be the one to sit out. However, the youngster's versatility means that he can have an impact on the game from just about anywhere in the backline.

Kriel feels that fullback is his best position. But with Willie le Roux the incumbent, he will have to bide his time and contribute wherever Meyer sees fit.

"I do enjoy fullback and I'd say it's my preferred position. I enjoy the space one gets. But I also enjoy my time at centre," Kriel told reporters. "I love making a contribution on attack and having more time with ball in hand."

Kriel, whose twin brother Dan also plays for the Bulls, was first spotted by Meyer as a schoolboy.(Snapster how good is Dan?)

"I've worked with Jesse before as a junior and I played a part in him joining the Bulls after school," Meyer said.

"He has great speed and his acceleration off the mark can be a big threat in attack. He has the potential to be the best outside centre South Africa has ever produced."

Meyer is likely to go with experience in the key matches at the World Cup, but in Kriel he has a potential game breaker - wherever the young flyer is used.

Lets hope he is not wasted!!

H onestly these articles are embarrassing. 

 Kriel is a substantail talent. Perhaps he too needs an old ligamnet to gain Dr Mozzz's acceptance!(See the article re Pieter Steph).

No I was the first poster who called for Kriel to be given a chance at 13...But having said that, he is still a work in progress. His defensive stats at 13 were not great. I'm for giving him a chance in the pool games. But this incredible South African hype is embarrassing. Let the kid make his mark before we call him the best 13  we have ever had. I remember Rosenburg, Gainsford, Marius Joubert,  Snyman....they weren't too shabby. And going back further you had the blisteringly quick Flappie Lochner.

 I don't know why some bok supporters are so quick to pick a promising young player & label him as fantastic before he is given a chance to develop. It's the same situation for pollard, I wouldn't throw him in the deep end; they are players with potential but  they need to be developed & given a chance to grow skills & confidence.

" No I was the first poster who called for Kriel to be given a chance at 13."Shyt,  Moz,  I missed that, but if you say so. 

 JW, it's Meyer who gets the poor Saffa's supporters' hopes up coming out with outlandish statements such as "he has the potential to be the best outside centre South Africa has produced"!This from the country that produced Danie Gerber, one of the all time great 13s!If I recall, Gerber could actually tackle; something that Kriel seems to have great difficulty with.Lets see how good Kriel is after 2 seasons at the top. Pollard has suffered greatly from "2nd season syndrome" in 2015 after being touted as the new Dan Carter last year. The trouble with 2nd seasons is the opposition have had a chance to work the player out!!

Draad there were many who thought Kriel should be challenging Willie, some that thought he was a candidate on the wing...but this I believe was the first call for him to actually be given a chance at 13 for the Boks.
I'm not saying I spotted him first...just that I called for him to actually be played at Bok 13 first. Just as I was first for Pollard. I don't rate many youngsters as test candidates, so that says a lot about what I think of him. 

[removed]mozart
 
[removed]Status: [removed]Hall Of Fame 
[removed]Posts: 12827[removed]RE: WC starting 15 projected today
April 06, 2015, 23:08:42

Given we are covered at 15 with Willlie and Lambie as a more defensive "Halfpenny like" option, we should be trying Kriel at 13 to see how he responds.  The rest of your reasoning is also very sensible Matey...the Beast and Hendricks are likely to play.

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