Confirmed: Jaco Kriel to wear the Lions No 6 jersey one last time

The Lions have now confirmed that veteran flanker Jaco Kriel will bow out of rugby at the age of 33 on Saturday.

Kriel will play in his favourite position, openside flank, and in the No 6 jersey for the last time before calling time on his professional career.

In their team release, the Lions said: “Lions legend Jaco Kriel plays his final professional game on Saturday.”

Currie Cup and Super Rugby

In his time with the Lions, Kriel lifted the Currie Cup in 2015 and also led the side on several occasions in Super Rugby, including in the final in 2017. He also featured prominently in the finals of 2016 and 2018, under the coaching of Johan Ackermann and Swys de Bruin.

Following a lengthy career at the Lions, Kriel moved to Gloucester in 2019 but returned to Joburg just a year later after suffering numerous injury setbacks in England. He has since struggled to stay fit and hold down a place in the Lions URC team.

Zebre match

But, he will run out in the starting team at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday for one last time as the Lions take on Italian side Zebre in the final round of the pool stages of the URC. Neither side can qualify for the playoffs.

The Lions have been boosted by the return of Rabz Maxwane and Ruan Venter, while Emmanuel Tshituka is also back after serving a suspension and will play off the bench. Prop Morgan Naude also replaces the injured JP Smith on the bench.

Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg will earn his 50th cap for the Lions.

Ivan van Rooyen’s team can finish no higher than ninth, while Zebre haven’t won a match all season and will prop up the points table.

Kick-off at Loftus in 1pm. The Bulls will take on Leinster at 4pm.

Lions: Quan Horn, Rabz Maxwane, Manuel Rass, Marius Louw (capt), Edwill van der Merwe, Gianni Lombard, Sanele Nohamba, Francke Horn, Ruan Venter, Jaco Kriel, Ruben Schoeman, Willem Alberts, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, Rhynardt Rijnsburger. Bench: Morne Brandon, Morgan Naude, Ruan Dreyer, Ruan Delport, Emmanuel Tshituka, Morne van den Berg, Rynhardt Jonker, Andries Coetzee