Whether it’s through media hype or public sentiment, some talented players start their Springbok careers with a great weight of expectation and a belief that a long and illustrious career lies ahead.
However, the international arena is incredibly unforgiving, and there are times when expected success unfortunately fails to materialise.
In the first part of a new ongoing series, we take a look at some Springbok careers that didn’t quite reach the heights that many predicted.
Springbok No. 874: Jaco Kriel
During a golden age for the Lions between 2016 and 2018, which saw the Johannesburg-based side reach three successive Super Rugby finals, one of the real standout players was abrasive flanker Jaco Kriel.
Boasting explosive power, dynamic mobility and a unique skill set, he broke through to the Springbok team in 2016 when he featured as a substitute on seven occasions.
Although Kriel was 27-years-old at that time, there was a real sense that he could become a mainstay in the Springbok team, and in 2017 he formed parted of the squad that comfortably defeated France 3-0 during the mid-year Incoming Series.
He would start in three subsequent Rugby Championship games, but was then unfortunately ruled out for the rest of the 2017 season due to a serious shoulder injury.
Unfortunately, as it turned out, that would be the last time Kriel featured at Test level as a series of injury setbacks and a struggle to rediscover his best form ultimately derailed his career.
The loose forward – who is now 35-year-old – did spend time overseas with English club Gloucester before returning to the Lions, but game-time remained few and far between.
Kriel eventually retired in 2023, at least ending on a high note with a 50-35 win against Zebre in the United Rugby Championship (URC), but undoubtedly with a sense of what could have been if not for a series of unfortunate injuries.
*Parts two and three from this article series will be run later in the week
WHAT WERE YOUR BEST MEMORIES FROM THE CAREER OF JACO KRIEL?
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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/springbok-careers-that-under-delivered/
