As the Springboks gear up for a titanic clash with the Wallabies at Johannesburg's Ellis Park this Saturday, Jesse Kriel is bracing for a fierce midfield battle but is buoyed by the prospect of lining up alongside the formidable Andre Esterhuizen. With usual starters Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe sidelined by injuries, Esterhuizen steps into the fray, adding a robust dynamic to the Boks' center pairing.
Rassie Erasmus, the mastermind behind the Springboks' strategies, has concocted a potent lineup for this Rugby Championship showdown. The absence of De Allende and Kolbe paves the way for Esterhuizen and Edwill van der Merwe to showcase their mettle. The record-holding duo of De Allende and Kriel has left big shoes to fill, but Esterhuizen is no novice to high-stakes competition and is expected to unleash his destructive prowess against the Australian defense.
"He's devastating with ball in hand,"
Kriel remarked about his teammate Esterhuizen.The centers are not just teammates but collaborators, constantly pushing each other to elevate their game. "It’s been so great to see how closely they work with each other to try and better each other’s games," Kriel added, emphasizing the synergy within the squad.
The inclusion of Canan Moodie, who is set to come off the bench, adds another layer of excitement for the Springboks. Kriel, at 31, is thrilled about the blend of experience and fresh talent in the team. "Very excited to play with Andre. I’ve played with him many times, actually quite a bit against Australia, so excited for him to show. And (I’m) also excited to get another opportunity to play again," he expressed.
On the opposing side, Wallabies' coach Joe Schmidt has revitalized his team, posing a significant challenge with centers Len Ikitau and Joseph Suaalii, who impressed in their recent series against the British & Irish Lions. "They’re obviously two great athletes," Kriel acknowledged, noting the hard work the Springboks have put in over the past three weeks. He concluded, "For us, it's about going out there and executing what we've been training, and yeah, looking forward to the challenge."