Lions want to give Kriel the perfect send-off, says Francke Horn

Rising Lions loose forward Francke Horn has told a heart-warming story about his initial interactions with Lions flank Jaco Kriel, who will retire from the game this weekend.

Horn has become something of a mainstay in the Lions team of late, just as Kriel was in 2016, 2017 and 2018 when the Lions played in three straight Super Rugby finals.

Horn, 23, joined the Lions in 2020 after making a name for himself at Paarl Boys High and at the same time that Kriel returned to the Joburg-based team from Gloucester in England.

‘Smile on his face’

“Obviously when I started out here at the Lions I didn’t know Jaco … and while I won’t say I was scared of him, I didn’t want to go and talk to him,” said Horn, who plays at No 8 in the loose trio.

“But, I quickly learned that Jaco is a real people’s person and a guy who always puts the team first. He’s also always motivating everyone around him. And, he’s always got a smile on his face.”

After an injury-hit few years, Kriel, 33, will retire from rugby after the Lions’ United Rugby Championship match against Zebre at Loftus Versfeld this weekend.

Horn said the Lions players would be going all out to send off their legendary flanker on the right note.

“It’s been an honour and privilege to play alongside Jaco these last few years,” said Horn.

“Everyone’s only got good things to say about him and we want to end our campaign on a high for him.”

Second season

Horn, who’s had his fair share of injuries himself this season, has been in good form when he has played.

“I’ve enjoyed the season, my second at this level, so it was a good one for me,” said the No 8, who’s caught the eye on several occasions in the last 12 months.

“I knew after last year’s first season I had to step it up. But then the injury also gave me (a different) perspective, not being on the field. I feel blessed though.”

The Lions will look to end their URC campaign with a bang, even though they can no longer qualify for the top eight and quarter-finals.

“It’s been an up and down season, but I think we improved in the last two months … you can see that by the way we have been playing,” said Horn.

“The one major thing we have learned is how matches are determined by the smallest of margins … there were a lot of close results that went against us, that had we pulled those matches through, it would be very different for us now (in the competition).”