Kriel in tears after Lions fond farewell
REACTION: It was difficult to hold back the tears says Lions legend Jaco Kriel after his final match for the franchise.
The loose forward Kriel played his final match for the Lions on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld.
The Lions handed Kriel a fitting farewell, recording a 50-35 win over Zebre in their final United Rugby Championship match of the season on Saturday.
To make the occasion extra special, the 33-year-old celebrated his last match with a try.
“It felt unreal as we drove to Loftus Versfeld,” Kriel reflected on his last outing in the red jersey.
“I was in tears because I realised that it is my last team meeting, last bus trip and last everything.
“I knew I had to get my emotions under control and do what I can for the team.”
The 11-times capped Springbok flank added: “The first 40 minutes went by so quickly.
“As we walked out at halftime, my best friend Andries Coetzee told me ‘You got 40 left, give it your all, go for it.’”
“It was really special.”
Closing the gap
With the Lions failing to qualify for the URC quarterfinal due to the defeat to Leinster in round 17, Kriel’s farewell added significance to the match.
The Lions came out with intent and scored eight tries in their onslaught.
However, their defence also leaked five tries which have been their Achilles throughout the season.
“To score 50 points and concede five tries is not the way we wanted to finish,” Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen said.
“We could’ve been a lot more clinical.
“There are a lot of should’ve and could’ve and last week was one of them [against Leinster].
“But the moment we played how we wanted we scored wonderful tries and when we didn’t we let in some soft tries.
“It is important for us to just close the gap between our excellent and not-so-good.”
The Lions conclude the URC season in ninth place.
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