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Boks should give Kriel a run - Heunis

Cape Town - Former Springbok fullback Johan Heunis says Jesse Kriel has all the qualities to become a top notch international.

The 21-year-old Kriel was included in Heyneke Meyer's Springbok squad named at the weekend after impressing for the Bulls in Super Rugby.

Kriel is one of three fullbacks named in Meyer's 49-man squad, with Willie le Roux and Zane Kirchner being the others.

Heunis, a former stalwart for the then Northern Transvaal, said Kriel should be given game time in the Bok jersey.

"It will be a pity if Heyneke picks him, but not give him a proper chance to prove himself. He really has all the qualities to become a world class fullback," Heunis told Netwerk24.

"You need experience in a World Cup tournament, but you need players who are fit and in form. Heyneke chose Zane because he knows what he can expect from him.

"But on the grounds of what we've seen, Willie and Jesse should be the two leading fullbacks in the squad."

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