Jesse Kriel, the electric outside centre with the heart of a warhorse, will become the 67th captain of the South African national team when he leads the Springboks into a clash with a gritty and gutsy Italian side on Saturday.
Kriel, no stranger to the trenches of Test rugby, carries the captain’s armband like a seasoned general donning a weathered breastplate. The honour, he admits, is one of his career’s crowning jewels—but make no mistake, this is no ceremonial lap of honour.
“It’s very special (to lead the team in a Test),” said a humble but focused Kriel. “There have certainly been a few career highlights in the past, and this occasion is up there with those, but we have a big game tomorrow, and I’m very fortunate to have guys like Siya (Kolisi), Eben (Etzebeth), Handré (Pollard) and so many other leaders in the squad to assist me.
The fact that they are my best friends makes it even better. Obviously, our focus will be on the job at hand, but I’m very proud, and it is a big occasion for me.”
In a world obsessed with scorelines and scripts, Kriel offered a measured warning against underestimating the Azzurri—a team often treated like cannon-fodder in Six Nations parlance, but one that has been sharpening its tusks in silence.
“It would be a massive mistake for people to write them off,” Kriel said pointedly. “They are a passionate nation and a good team, and we have immense respect for them. We had an intense week of preparation, and we are expecting a big battle.”
Italy may not boast a trophy cabinet spilling over with silverware, but their blend of fire and flair—honed in the crucible of the United Rugby Championship—has made them unpredictable, and therefore dangerous. Their players run with the ferocity of mountain lions, and the Springboks are taking no chances.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick echoed the caution, his voice as steady as a metronome before kickoff.
“Their backline is always dangerous, as we saw with their clubs in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, and they have very skillful players, so we have to handle that tomorrow,” Stick said.
“They are also trying to build squad depth at the moment, so they are a dangerous unit.
Adding to that, they are a well-organised team, and the way they balance their game between the forwards and backs makes them a tough opponent. One thing is for certain, if you give them space and time on attack, they can hurt you.”
The Boks know full well that this is more than a curtain-raiser—it’s a crucial
cornerstone for a season that could become a cathedral of success or a house of cards. The stakes may not be finals-level high, but the margins for error are razor-thin.
“From our perspective, we want to get the official Test season off to a good start and lay a strong base for the season ahead,” said Kriel.
“We also know what a good result does for the country, and that excites us a lot.”
Stick lauded Kriel’s leadership credentials with conviction. This was no sentimental decision. Kriel, according to Stick, earned the armband the old-fashioned way—through grit, graft, and a touch of genius.
“It started with the match against the Barbarians, and the way he led the team in that match made it an easy choice to hand him the captaincy,” said Stick.
“There are a few things we look for in a captain, and those include working hard and leading by example, and Jesse ticks both those boxes.
He is one of the hardest workers in the team and one of the best outside centres in the world. And adding to that, he leads by example, so we are proud of his achievement.”
The match will also serve as a momentous occasion for loose forward Vincent Tshituka, who will finally earn his Springbok Test debut after years of chipping away at the green-and-gold wall. For a man who has long been in the squad’s orbit, this isn’t just a debut—it’s a destiny fulfilled.
“For us, it’s not just about giving a player an opportunity, we also want to empower him,” Stick explained.
“Vincent has been working very hard along with the other players in the squad, and what many people forget is that he was first invited to a Springbok alignment camp in 2019, so we hope he has a good game.”
As the sun dips low behind the Jacaranda skyline and the air thickens with altitude and anticipation, 17h10 on Saturday will mark more than a kickoff—it’ll signal the ignition of South Africa’s 2025 Test campaign.
The crowd will roar like a thunderclap rolling down the stands, and Kriel will lead his men into a test of nerves, nuance, and national pride. Because in this arena, there are no friendly fixtures. Just bone, blood, breath—and rugby.
