Boks buy into Rassie’s vision

They have buried the ghosts of last year and have bought into a new exciting vision for Springbok rugby under new coach Rassie Erasmus, said up-beat centre Jesse Kriel yesterday.

Kriel is expected to be paired today next to Andre Esterhuizen when the team for the first Test against Wales in Washington this weekend is announced.

“Obviously the team hasn’t been named yet, but there’s always pressure to perform. You can either embrace it or see it as a negative and we want to embrace this opportunity.

“It’s my first time in America, so there’s great energy and enthusiasm in the squad,” he said at St Stithians College, close to Sandton.

Kriel stressed that they see it as a full-blown Test match and not a second-grade exhibition game.

“It’s not a trial for the England series, it’s a team the coach thought will get the job done and he has made that clear, this is not a B side,” said Kriel, with the team set to depart tonight.

Kriel, with 29 Tests, is the most experienced back, but said the rest of the squad are not exactly strangers to one another.

“I don’t think it’s too new for everyone, we had the camps earlier in the year, so I think everyone is comfortable with each other. Maybe only one or two new guys who have been brought in.

“We are settling in well and understand the plan nicely and me and Andre played together at Under-20s so we have combined before,

“So it’s something that’s really exciting, but there are great centres here, so whoever gets to do the job will step up.”

Kriel said they have all united behind their new captain, flank Siya Kolisi.

“Everyone is happy for Siya and we all back him. There are also other strong leaders in the group to help him become a better leader,” said Kriel.