VIDEO - Jesse Kriel's take on 'devastating' Esterhuizen
VIDEO: The 37-man Springbok squad has come out of their three-week preparation camp fitter and more prepared to face Australia in the Rugby Championship after some hiccups in their first three Tests this season.
That is according to the buff and ultra-fit centre Jesse Kriel, who will be partnering with Andre Esterhuizen at Ellis Park on Saturday in the absence of an injured Damian de Allende.
Australia has just come out of three very tough encounters with the British and Irish Lions.
The Wallabies shocked the visitors and won a riotous victory in the third and final Test in Sydney.
Comments have been thrown around that they might be better prepared for the Rugby Championship due to their much tougher opponents.
The Springboks’ Andy Edwards, their head of athletic performance, is the man who has been cracking the whip to get the Boks ready for the challenge ahead.
“A few of the guys wanted to give Andy an uppercut,” Kriel told reporters on Monday, smiling.
“No, it was very tough. We all know the game is getting quicker, more physical. Players are getting bigger, faster, and stronger. In parallel with that, the training has to get more intense and more demanding.
“It has been exactly that. We have trained at a level and intensity probably higher than a game. Playing rugby when you are fit is lots of fun. Playing when you are unfit is no fun at all.
“We got a lot of bang out of what we put into the last three weeks of camp. Hopefully, we will reap the benefits on Saturday,” he added.
Linking up with Esterhuizen in midfield is not something new for Kriel. The pair have shared the field on many occasions and have a close working relationship on and off the field.
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“Andre is a great guy to get us moving forward and getting us quick, front-foot ball. I’ve played with him quite a bit, including against Australia, so I’m excited for him to show what he can do.”
“He is devastating with ball in hand and has a great understanding of the game, like Damian does. It’s been great to see how closely they work together to improve each other’s games,” said Kriel.
“That is what we are about in this team. How the centres help each other to grow. We have buddied up, and there is constant feedback from the guy in your same position to see where you can get better, where he can sharpen your game, and you can sharpen his game.
“We drive extremely high standards in this environment, with so much competition in every position. Personally, I feel very confident about the level of preparation we’ve put in, and I’m excited for the weekend,” said Kriel.
“We’ll have to see on Saturday. I believe we’ve worked hard. I think everyone’s obviously got their opinions on battle-hardened or not, but I think it’s the way you pitch up every day to training, the way you pitch up with the mindset to whatever you approach throughout your week.”
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