'Jaco Kriel has not signed for Gloucester' - agent

Lions looseforward Jaco Kriel has not signed for Gloucester – that’s according to his agents at least.

The agency who look after Kriel’s affairs have branded the move as ‘simply media speculation’ on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/InTouchSports/status/942728978401460224

In Touch Sports stated: “Simply media speculation – Jaco Kriel has not signed for Gloucester Rugby. He is signed & committed to the Lions for Super Rugby. Will only make a decision on his future in March after consulting with Lions.”

However the agency does not rule out Kriel signing for the Cherry and Whites at that stage.

Kriel signed a two year deal with the Kubota Spears in June, which allows him to play Super Rugby for the Lions and then the shorter end of year season with the Japanese side.

This means Gloucester would not have access to Kriel until sometime in 2019 in any event.

The 184cm, 100kg Kriel has been capped 11 times for the Springboks and was part of the team that defeated France 3-0 in the mid-year test series in 2017.

Following the series, Kriel took over as captain of the Lions for the rest of the 2017 Super Rugby season after regular captain Warren Whiteley was injured during the test series against the French.

Kriel was then ruled out for the rest of 2017 following a shoulder injury at training prior to the first test against New Zealand.