VIDEO: Bok reveals the boons of playing in Japan

Jesse Kriel is desperate to show he deserves a place in South Africa’s World Cup squad.

He is likely to feature in the Test against Argentina at Ellis Park Stadium next Saturday, one of two remaining chances to make his mark.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber will announce the final World Cup squad on 8 August – leaving Kriel and other hopeful candidates just the two encounters with Los Pumas, at Ellis Park on July 29 and Buenos Aires a week later, to impress the coach.

The 29-year-old Kriel has been based in Japan for the last four years, where he is a regular for the Eagles in Japan’s League One.

Kriel this week talked about his time in Japan and how it has helped him improve as a player, contrary to what many might think of the game in Japan.

“It is great to be back in South Africa with the Springboks,” Kriel told a media briefing.

“Of course, I am desperate [to play],” Kriel said when prompted.

“I definitely want to play.

“If you ask any single guy in the squad if they do want to play, the answer will always be ‘yes‘.

“If you don’t want to play, then there is a big problem.”

In May 2019 Kriel was linked with a move to Premiership outfit Bath, but he opted to sign with the League One side in Japan on a long-term deal.

During South Africa’s triumphant 2019 World Cup campaign, he injured his hamstring in the 13-23 loss to New Zealand in the opening pool match and could not recover in time to feature in the Springboks’ remaining Pool B games.

At the time, then Springbok coach Johan Erasmus commented: “I feel for Jesse. He has been in the matchday 23 for almost every match since I took over and is a model professional. He was a key member of the squad.”

The Bok centre made his Test debut in 2015 in the opening Rugby Championship match against Australia, scoring his first Test try in the 44th minute.

South Africa lost that game 20-24 after a late Tevita Kuridrani try.

The twin brother of Dan and great-grandson of John Hodgson (1909-1970), who played 15 games for the British and Irish Lions in the 1930s, said playing in a foreign country has a lot less distractions on and off the field.

(WATCH as Springbok Jessie Kriel unpacks the advantages of playing in Japan …)

Kriel explained how playing in Japan has honed his skills and made him a better player.

“A lot more of your time goes into the game.

“That has been a great thing.

“I have been there for four years now, and you get a lot more time to work on your game.

“I think the Japanese are also extremely hard-working people and their work ethic is really great.

“Guys help you after sessions with extras.

“And I also think there is a lot of ball in play, you are making a lot of tackles.

“Your catch and passes are a massive focus.

“All those things contribute to making you a better player, and I feel like I’ve become a better player playing over that side.

“There are a lot of other things, but those are the main things that I found to be really good.

“If you ask a lot of the guys that are playing there, they will tell you the same thing.”