Jesse Kriel has made the Springboks’ No 13 jersey his own over the last 12 months after having to play second fiddle to Lukhanyo Am for many years.
Kriel took the proverbial gap and nailed down the outside centre berth after Am struggled with injuries ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Kriel was one of the Springboks’ best players in France, starring with ball in a hand and, specifically, on defence.
Kriel also started the 2024 international campaign like a house on fire, winning the Man-of-the-Match award in the Boks’ first Test against Ireland, and has continued to impress in their Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies with a lovely line break that resulted in a try for Kurt-Lee Arendse in Brisbane.
Kurt-Lee 'The Silent Assassin' Arendse 😤⭐
How good is that step by Jesse Kriel though? 🤯
📺 Stream #TRC2024 live: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/u3RKZ7K4HM
Am actually didn’t make the Springboks’ original World Cup squad for rugby’s global showpiece event, but was added later on in the tournament after Makazole Mapimpi suffered a knock to the face against Tonga in the pool stages.
But since then he has been trying to fight his way to the sort of form that made him the best outside centre in the world not too long ago.
However, the competition for the No 13 jersey will be put on hold this Saturday when Am and Kriel feature together in the centres in the Rugby Championship clash against the Wallabies in Perth.
Am will run out at at inside centre next to Kriel, a position he played coming through the ranks.
“Really looking forward to the the Test. Playing alongside a world class player like Jesse is going to be amazing,” said Am.
“For me playing playing 12 and having the understanding of a 13, we will complement each other on both sides of the ball.
“It’s going to be our first time running at 12 and 13 together, but in the camp we have always worked together as centres.”
Am showed his class earlier this year when he started at outside centre for the Boks in the one-off Test against Portugal, although he would get a taste of his next assignment in the green and gold in that match when inside centre Andre Esterhuizen was sent off early on.
🗣️ "I think they the best 13s in the world."
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 6, 2024
Whether it's Jesse Kriel or Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende is just happy to have two world class players to play alongside 🤝 pic.twitter.com/TzzyEXQJwp
Am says there is not a lot of difference between the positions, but the the Boks do use their No 12 a lot more in the physical stakes as far as gain-line dominance from set pieces is concerned.
The South Africans, though, are playing with a lot more width these days, and throw many out of the back passes to try and catch defences flat-footed. Am has got a wonderful skill-set in that regard and Bok fans will watch his performance with a lot of interest.
“There is a bit of a difference between 12 and 13. From set pieces it’s very position specific, but in general play, on the counter and on defence, it’s pretty similar,” Am said.
“The biggest adjustment will basically just be for the set-pieces. The set-pieces need a guy to bring that momentum and try to create space for the outside backs.
“We are moving the ball more and try to attack as a team, to identify the space.”
Am is one of the 10 changes in the run-on team following the Boks’ 33-7 win over the Aussies in their Rugby Championship opener.
Am says the Springboks have the depth to compete against the Wallabies despite the wholesale changes, which will see many of the rookies getting a chance to play.
“We are in a good place as a squad. With the new coaching staff coming, they brought in new ideas and we are trying to improve as a group,” said Am.
“The depth in the group helps. The guys starting and finishing off games ... it’s really a good place to be and everyone in the squad just wants to contribute and play their roles.
“We are an experienced side, when it comes to experience at franchise level. While they haven’t played a lot of Tests, they are qualify leaders.
“As a group we are confident. We have done the preparation and we back each other.”
@JohnGoliath82