Two-time Springbok world champion Jesse Kriel believes that playing his club rugby in Japan and maintaining top fitness can help extend his career by another eight years.
Kriel and Damian de Allende broke the Bok midfield partnership record held by Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie when they ran out together in Saturday’s series decider against Ireland in Durban.
The clash at Kings Park marked De Allende and Kriel’s 30th Test as a partnership, nine years after their first match together against the Wallabies in Brisbane in the 2015 Rugby Championship.
Quoted in a wide-ranging interview with Sunday newspaper Rapport, the 30-year-old Kriel – who played his first Rugby World Cup in 2015 – said he’s playing the best rugby of his life and has no plans to hang up his boots anytime soon.
“I would like to play for another eight years, or as long as I can,” said Kriel, a key member of the Boks’ back-to-back titles wins in 2019 and 2023.
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He credits Boks fitness guru Andy Edwards, and the pace of Japanese club rugby for his optimal fitness.
“I talk to Andy almost every day, even when I’m in Japan. He always looks at our GPS numbers and sends me exercise programs. It’s nice to have such a good relationship with the Bok coaching staff,” Kriel explained.
Kriel believes Japanese rugby, where he plays for the Canon Eagles, enhances his conditioning: “Japanese club rugby is not as physical as Test rugby, but the league is very competitive. You have plenty of time to work on your game. The ball is in play for long periods, which helps on offence and defence.”
The former Vodacom Bulls star aims to play in Japan for at least the next two seasons, focusing on being in top form for the 2027 World Cup. “The next cycle of four years drives me to get up in the mornings,” he said.
Photo: @Springboks/Twitter
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
