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Jessie Kriel: 'I believe it’s the only way to defend'

Jesse Kriel of South Africa celebrates victory at full-time following the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Quarter Final match between France and South Africa at Stade de France on October 15, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Double World Cup-winning centre Jesse Kriel chats to the Boks Office crew about South Africa’s defensive philosophy.

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The Springboks are renowned for their rush defence and it was there for all to see once again during a successful World Cup campaign in France last year.

Combined with a highly physical approach, the Boks often stifled the opposition’s momentum with their defensive game.

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Jesse Kriel on the Springboks’ rush defence | RPTV

Springbok Jesse Kriel discusses the famed rush defence and the pros of mastering it. Watch the full chat exclusively on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Video Spacer

Jesse Kriel on the Springboks’ rush defence | RPTV

Springbok Jesse Kriel discusses the famed rush defence and the pros of mastering it. Watch the full chat exclusively on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

In conversation with Boks Office host Hanyani Shimange and fellow guests Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger, Kriel explains why that type of defence is needed in the modern game.

“I believe it’s the only way to defend,” said Kriel.

“Initially, it’s very hard because you are exposed. When you do it for a long time you get better and you get better at making decisions.

“But I do think players have become so good with their skillsets that if you are not putting guys under pressure, you are going to be ripped up.

“It’s not like back in the day when you can be soft and push guys to the touchline.

“These days line speed is a must. You must be putting guys under pressure constantly.

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“Guys on attack need to be thinking: ‘Have I got time when there is someone in my face’. You force guys to make decisions because otherwise you get ripped up.”

On why it works so well for the Boks, Kriel added: “You always know you are going to f*ck some things and you going to make some bad reads.

“You’re going to make mistakes, but you also know that you’ve got 14 other guys that are busting their a**e off.

“It’s never, ‘Jesse made a mistake’, because I know Pieter-Steph [du Toit] is flying halfway across the field chasing a paper packet to get to some other oke.

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“You got the coaches telling you: ‘Listen, make decisions and we want you to be bold’.

“You are not going to win a World Cup being tame and sitting in your shell.”

Kriel also explained why Scotland was the hardest to defend against at the World Cup.

“Defensively, I think the toughest game was probably Scotland because you never know what a guy like Finn Russell is going to do.

“Ireland were also right up there and they are an unbelievable team.

“I think England was more attritional and obviously it was raining, so there wasn’t a lot of ball movement.

“All three games were extremely tough, but If you are talking about defence and making decisions, I think Scotland and Ireland were right up there.”

You can watch the full episode of Boks Office exclusively on RugbyPass TV now.

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8 Comments
R
Red and White Dynamight 274 days ago

Its called “offside”. Wear the linesman down until they give up. Then call all the other sides ‘cheats’ in the hope of a TMO upgrade. So simple, even Etzebeth gets it.

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BeamMeUp 1 hour ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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