Bruised and bloodied Jesse Kriel reveals details of head injury

Springbok centre Jesse Kriel was happy to help his side settle the score against France in their Rugby World Cup quarterfinal, with the Boks now fully focused on their semifinal clash against England in Paris on Saturday night.

Last year Kriel was part of the Bok side that was edged by France in Marseille, so he relished getting a bit of revenge as they pipped the hosts 29-28 in a breathless match that went right down to the wire.

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“After November’s loss against them we were disappointed and we wanted to make that right. So, it was nice to get an opportunity to fix that,” said Kriel, reflecting on the win on Sunday.

“The most important thing is we got the result, we got what we came here for. There is still a lot of rugby to be played in this tournament, another two big games and obviously not looking past the semifinals. 

“It’s just about getting back to the drawing board and getting the bodies fresh and all eyes on Saturday.”

Body on the line

Kriel put his body on the line during the match against France, as was evidenced by him coming off the field looking like he had gone 12 rounds in a boxing match after being stitched up, while many pundits have already praised his performance as his best in a Bok jersey.

“Yah, I got a few (stitches), I don’t know how many. It’s quite a big cut. I don’t know (how it happened), I think just hitting a guy’s hip or something, a bit of bone on bone. Luckily it’s all good and it was just a cut. Luckily these things heal,” said Kriel.

Bok flyhalf Manie Libbok also enjoyed a strong outing against the French, with him putting in a solid 44-minute shift before being replaced by Handre Pollard early in the second half.

Libbok, however, was quick to praise the strategic efforts of Bok coach Jacques Nienaber and SA Rugby director Rassie Erasmus for their huge input, which helps the team week in and week out.

“Obviously the coaches put a lot of work in and give us good info and show us where the opportunities come up,” explained Libbok.

“The plan for us as players is to go out and execute and play what’s in front of us … they say ‘if the opportunity is there, you guys have to take it’. It all comes down to the work we put in during the week, the preparation.”

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