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Kriel: We're proud to wear red Bok jersey

Cape Town - A large number of the current Springbok squad have played in red all season with the Lions, but it will still be strange to see the national side wearing that colour when they take on Argentina in Salta on Saturday.

The Boks will play in red for the first time in their history as part of a drive from SA Rugby to celebrate 25 years of South African rugby unity since the Boks' first Test after isolation back in 1992.

Flank Jaco Kriel, who captained the Lions in this year's Super Rugby final, was asked about playing in red for the Boks this coming weekend.

It is a bit of a tough spot for a player to be in - even if he hated the idea he could never say so - but Kriel's diplomatic response was that there would always be pride attached to the national jersey, regardless of its colour.

"I haven't seen the jersey yet, only on social media," Kriel told Rugby365 on Monday. 

"You still represent your country and you'll still be proud to put on that jersey because there are so many kids dreaming of representing their country, no matter what colour it is.

"We will still be proud to pull the jersey over our heads if we get picked."

The decision to play in red has been met with critical reaction from the South African rugby public. 

Kick-off in Salta on Saturday is at 21:40 (SA time). 

 
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