Bokdle #15: 16 Oct 2026

The mystery green and gold player on 16 Oct 2026 was Jesse Kriel: Test player #867 · Centre · 94 caps · 25 tries · 2× World Cup winner · Captain · School: Maritzburg College.

Jesse Kriel is the Springboks' great outside centre of the last decade: more than 90 Tests, two World Cup titles and a defensive reliability that coaches have trusted since 2015. Born in February 1994, he went to Maritzburg College and the University of Pretoria. He has a twin brother, Dan, who also played professionally, and he speaks fluent isiZulu.

A Lions connection

Kriel's great-grandfather, John Hodgson, played 15 matches for the British & Irish Lions in the 1930s, so the Springbok centre has some Lions history in the family.

Young Bok

After playing for South Africa Schools in 2012, Kriel moved to Pretoria with his twin in 2013 to join the Blue Bulls, and the same year scored twice for the Under-20s against the United States at the Junior World Championship. In 2014 he was a vice-captain of the Under-20s.

He made his Test debut at centre against Australia in Brisbane in July 2015, as Springbok number 867, and scored in the 44th minute, although South Africa lost 24–20. That year he was part of the squad that won bronze at the World Cup in England.

Two World Cups

His 2019 World Cup ended early: injured in the pool stage, he was replaced by Damian Willemse, but he still counted among the squad that won the final. In 2023 he played every one of South Africa's matches as they retained the title in France.

Japan and the captaincy

Since 2020 Kriel has played his club rugby for the Canon Eagles in Japan. He captained the Springboks for the first time against Italy in Pretoria in July 2025, and he won the Rugby Championship in 2025.

Test record

From bokhist.com's Test-by-Test list, up to the end of September 2026:

• Springbok number: 867
• Debut: 18 July 2015, aged 21, at outside centre against Australia at Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane (lost 20–24)
• Most recent Test: 12 September 2026, aged 32, at outside centre against New Zealand at Ravens Stadium, Baltimore (won 43–28)
• Tests: 94: 82 starts and 12 off the bench
• Results: 60 wins, 3 draws and 31 losses, a winning rate of 64%
• Starts by position: outside centre 76, right wing 6
• Most often played against: New Zealand (18 Tests)
• Captain: 3 Tests, the first against Italy on 5 July 2025

Did you know?

• He has 25 Test tries.
• He played a few seasons in Japan early on too, with the NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes in 2015–16.

Sources: bokhist.com, en.wikipedia.org

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