VIDEO: 'We all know that Siya is the captain'
Jesse André Kriel has a 100 percent win record as Springbok captain.
The 31-year-old centre, with 82 Test caps to his credit, will lead South Africa for the third time in a full international, against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
He was the skipper for the first time in a Test in the 42-24 triumph over Italy at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria in July.
Kriel also captained South Africa in the 30-22 victory over Australia in Cape Town last month.
Then there was the 54-7 rout of the Barbarians in Cape Town back in June, in a non-cap ‘international’, when he was first unveiled as Bok skipper.
Auckland will be the first time he captains the Boks on foreign soil, and there is a cathartic twist to this tale.
Kriel retained the captaincy, on the recommendation of regular skipper Siya Kolisi – a midweek addition to the starting XV.
It was a training mishap that ruled Jean-Luc du Preez out of the Eden Park Test.
Du Preez, who was scheduled to make a comeback after a two-year absence from the Springbok setup, injured his knee in training.
That forced Bok coach Rassie Erasmus to name Kolisi at No.8, although Jesse Kriel retained the captaincy for the Auckland crunch.
Erasmus revealed, during Thursday’s team announcement, that Kriel retained the captaincy on the suggestion of Kolisi.
Kriel, in the traditional Friday captain’s media briefing, said Kolisi’s gesture is a mark of the man.
(WATCH as veteran centre Jesse Kriel speaks about ‘standing in’ as captain of the Springboks….)
“It just speaks volumes of the kind of leader Siya is,” Kriel said from the team’s training base in Auckland.
“We all know that Siya is our captain, that he is the captain of this team,” the outside centre added.
“It’s all of us that kind of help and lead when we need to.
“I’ve got that role this weekend, and it’s something I take massive pride in, leading this team and doing my part.”
Kriel reiterated that captaincy of the Boks is not a one-man job.
“I’ve said many times, there are so many leaders throughout this squad – not just the 23 guys playing tomorrow.
“I’m talking about the entire wider group; the coaches – there are leaders in every area.
“It is a massive privilege and I am extremely proud.
“I would not have thought it would be happening.
“The most important thing is that I do my job and do what is expected of me as a player.
“The rest will take care of itself.”
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