Expectation in South African media is that Damian de Allende and Kriel will once again combine
But if you look at Kriel’s first 50 caps, he started 37 at outside centre, came on as a replacement in the midfield a further eight times, while amassing a modest four caps in the run-on team as a wing and once as a replacement there. He played all three Tests last November on the wing and against New Zealand in August.
Jesse celebrated his Springboks debut against Australia with a try and the following week against New Zealand scored a second to make quite the start to his Test career. Kriel played alongside Damian de Allende in those matches, a midfield partnership that would endure right through the 2015 World Cup in England.
Kriel played alongside Juan de Jongh and Jan Serfontein and was largely first choice until losing his place to Am in the Rugby Championship ahead of that World Cup in Japan. A hamstring injury in the 16-16 drawn pool match against New Zealand when coming on as a replacement brought a premature end to his tournament and he was replaced by Damian Willemse.
De Allende and Am were Nienaber’s preferred midfield partnership as the Springboks beat the Lions 2-1 but with the latter’s injury, Kriel finds himself alongside, not only a familiar face. When restored during the Rugby Championship he said: “I am very excited to be back in the midfield with Damian. It’s another good opportunity. We are all good friends off the field and that makes a big difference. It’s always really special playing with guys like Damian.
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