Answer to the conundrum
WE’RE just two games into the international season and the name on everyone’s lips is, surprisingly, not a veteran Springbok or even someone anyone thought would be a certainty for the World Cup – now just two months away. The man everyone is talking about is Jesse Kriel.
Not too many pundits, possibly not even head coach Heyneke Meyer, would have thought a year ago that Kriel would be the answer to the Bok outside centre conundrum. The 21-year-old has made a quite astonishing rise in rugby; from playing for the SA Under20s two years ago, to the Bulls – at fullback – and now to the Boks. Who would have thought?
But as excellent as Kriel has been – he did show a lot of promise in junior rugby so we should not be all that surprised – he’ll probably be the first to admit how lucky he’s got. One wonders whether he’d have been picked had Jean de Villiers not been injured and had Jaque Fourie been fit.
Also, when he was picked by Meyer, did the coach foresee him playing in midfield, or was he merely selected to fulfil the dreaded utility back role?
Kriel can virtually play in any position in the backline. He starred at centre for the Junior Boks and was good for the Bulls at fullback, but he certainly seems most comfortable at 13. He’s made the most of his good fortune because Meyer could just as easily have picked Lionel Mapoe to feature against the World XV, or Jan Serfontein, for that matter – the latter having played much of last year in the position.
Why he didn’t pick Mapoe, especially, only Meyer will know. The fact is Kriel’s had the luck on his side.
The youngster scored a superb try in a very good showing against the Wallabies at the weekend and after just two games at international level has probably booked his World Cup spot. But Mapoe enjoyed an outstanding Super Rugby campaign and was the best No13 in the country. He attacks the gain line strongly, has speed and is strong in defence . . . so we have got to ask why Meyer went with Kriel, who was picked out of position if going on the last six months of rugby, ahead of Mapoe?
Meyer took a gamble and it appears as if it will pay off, and well done to him, but spare a thought for Mapoe, who did everything asked of him in Super Rugby to be afforded a chance in the build-up to the World Cup. Perhaps his opportunity will still come.