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Johannesburg - Bulls fullback Jesse Kriel wants to make the most of his opportunity with the Springboks by soaking in as much as possible.
Kriel was one of the young standout performers during Super Rugby this season, and was rewarded with a call-up to the Springbok training camp in Cape Town in May.
This was followed up with more good news as he was named in the Springbok 49-man squad announced on Saturday that will prepare for the Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup.
“I just received a call from my mom, and I’m very delighted with the news. I’m feeling a lot of emotions right now. The support since the announcement has been amazing,” Kriel told MyPlayers.co.za.
“I’m happy with the form I showed during Super Rugby. I just want to thank Frans Ludeke who gave me the opportunity and backed me in the starting line-up. I’m lucky to have played so many games this year. This has allowed me to play for bigger opportunities, like the Springbok call-up I’ve just received.”
Speaking about his experience at the training camp earlier this year, Kriel hopes to add to the knowledge he has already received.
“My time with the Springboks in May was amazing. I found myself alongside the best players in South Africa, and I had the opportunity to get to know more about the game from them. I can’t wait to spend more time with them over the next few weeks, and continue to learn from experienced players and coaches.”
Kriel features alongside more experienced Springbok fullbacks in the squad, namely Willie le Roux and Zane Kirchner, who has shown good recent form for Irish club Leinster.
While Kriel will be competing against the duo for the No 15 jersey, he believes he will gain valuable insight from them.
“It’s a great opportunity to train with fullbacks who have played at Test level before. They will help me learn more about fullback position, which will grow my game,” said Kriel.
“They’re both world-class fullbacks, and training alongside them will bring the best out of me.”
Springbok squad (in alphabetical order):
Willem Alberts (Sharks), Loose forward, 32 Test caps
Schalk Brits (Saracens, England), Hooker, 7
Schalk Burger (Stormers / Suntory, Japan), Loose forward, 75
Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), Loose forward, 26
Damian De Allende (Stormers), Centre, 3
Faf de Klerk (Lions/Pumas), Scrumhalf, 0
Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Hooker, 70
Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), Prop, 62
Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), Lock, 33
Elton Jantjies (Lions), Flyhalf, 2
Bryan Habana (Toulon, France), Wing, 106
Cornal Hendricks (Cheetahs), Wing, 11
Zane Kirchner (Leinster, Ireland), Wing / Fullback, 29
Steven Kitshoff (Stormers), Prop, 0
Vincent Koch (Stormers/Steval Pumas), Prop, 0
Siya Kolisi (Stormers), Loose forward, 10
Jesse Kriel (Bulls), Fullback, 0
Willie le Roux (Cheetahs), Fullback / Wing, 25
Francois Louw (Bath, England), Loose forward, 34
Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Prop, 4
Victor Matfield (Bulls), Lock, 121
Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje (Cheetahs), Loose forward, 7
Franco Mostert (Lions), Lock, 0
Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Prop, 64
Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks), Wing, 10
Scarra Ntubeni (Stormers), Hooker, 0
Trevor Nyakane (Bulls), Prop, 13
Rudy Paige (Bulls), Scrumhalf, 0
Ruan Pienaar (Ulster, N Ireland), Scrumhalf, 80
JP Pietersen (Sharks), Centre / Wing, 59
Handré Pollard (Bulls), Flyhalf, 9
Morné Steyn (Stade Francais, France), Flyhalf, 59
Adriaan Strauss (Bulls), Hooker, 44
Heinke van der Merwe (Stade Francais, France), Prop, 4
Marcel van der Merwe (Bulls), Prop, 4
Warren Whiteley (Lions), Loose forward, 2
Injured / Conditioning squad:
Heinrich Brussow (Cheetahs/Docomo, Japan), Loose forward, 20
Lood de Jager (Cheetahs), Lock, 9
Jean de Villiers (Stormers), Centre, 106
Fourie du Preez (Suntory, Japan), Scrumhalf, 70
Pieter-Steph du Toit (Sharks), Lock, 2
Jaque Fourie (Kobe, Japan), Centre, 72
Patrick Lambie (Sharks), Flyhalf / Fullback, 40
Lionel Mapoe (Lions), Centre, 0
Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs), Prop, 21
Cobus Reinach (Sharks), Scrumhalf, 6
Jan Serfontein (Bulls), Centre, 20
Frans Steyn (Sharks), Centre, 53
Duane Vermeulen (Stormers), No 8, 29
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