Jesse Kriel Proud to Captain Springboks Against Italy
Jesse Kriel has described his appointment as Springboks captain as one of the highlights of his rugby career.
He is set to lead South Africa in their first Test of the year against Italy on Saturday.
Kriel Named 67th Test Captain
According to Planet Rugby, Jesse Kriel is set to become the 67th player to skipper the Springboks in a Test match when he leads the team out at Loftus Versfeld this weekend.
Jesse Kriel described leading the team in a Test as a significant career highlight and expressed gratitude for the support of fellow leaders Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Handre Pollard, and others in the squad.
“It’s very special to lead the team in a Test. There have certainly been a few career highlights in the past, and this occasion is up there with those. I’m very fortunate to have guys like Siya, Eben, Handre and so many other leaders in the squad to assist me,” Kriel said.
He added that captaining the side alongside some of his closest teammates made the moment even more meaningful.
“The fact that they are my best friends makes it even better. Obviously, our focus will be on the job at hand, but I’m very proud, and it is a big occasion for me,” he said.
Also Read: Springboks Name New Captain After Siya Kolisi Ruled Out of Qatar Airways Cup
Warning Against Underestimating Italy
Despite the excitement of leading his country, Kriel stressed that the Springboks would not be taking Italy lightly.
“It would be a massive mistake for people to write them off. They are a passionate nation and a good team, and we have immense respect for them. We had an intense week of preparation, and we are expecting a big battle,” he cautioned.
Kriel emphasised the importance of setting the tone for the rest of the year.
“From our perspective, we want to get the official Test season off to a good start and lay a strong base for the season ahead. We also know what a good result does for the country, and that excites us a lot.”
Stick Praises Kriel’s Leadership
Springboks assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said Kriel’s leadership qualities made him an obvious choice to take over the captaincy.
“It started with the match against the Barbarians, and the way he led the team in that match made it an easy choice to hand him the captaincy,” Stick said.
Mzwandile Stick added that Kriel ranks among the top outside centres in the world and consistently leads through his actions, which makes the team proud to see him take on the role.
“There are a few things we look for in a captain, and those include working hard and leading by example, and Jesse ticks both those boxes. He is one of the hardest workers in the team and one of the best outside centres in the world, and adding to that, he leads by example, so we are proud of his achievement.”
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The post “It is a big Occasion”: Jesse Kriel Proud to Captain Springboks Against Italy appeared first on iHarare News.
