Quick Info
| Profession | Rugby union player |
|---|---|
| Nationality | South African |
| Date of Birth | 15/02/1994 |
| Age | 32 years |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
Latest News about Jesse Kriel
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick praised Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende ahead of their 50th Test start together as a centre partnership. The pair are set to play in the Nations Championship Test against France in Paris, with Kriel earning his 96th Test cap.
Kriel started for the Springboks in their 43-28 win over New Zealand, which was part of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series. The result followed an opening 33-16 defeat at Ellis Park, and South Africa went on to claim the series.
Kriel said he wants to set a clear goal before leaving Japan, amid speculation about his future beyond the 2025-26 season. His Yokohama Canon Eagles side had a difficult start to the campaign and missed out on the Japan Rugby League One knockouts.
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Bio/Wiki
| Summary | South African professional rugby union player whose regular position is utility back, also able to play centre, wing or fullback. Currently plays for Yokohama Canon Eagles in the Japanese Top League and is a member of the South Africa national team. He is a two-time Rugby World Cup winner with South Africa (2019 and 2023). |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jesse André Kriel |
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 1.86 m |
|---|---|
| Weight | 98 kg |
| Playing Position | Centre |
Personal Life
| Relationship Status | Single (publicly confirmed in 2026) |
|---|---|
| Brand Partnerships | Discovery brand ambassador (named March 2026) |
Relationships & More
| Relationship Status | Single (publicly confirmed in 2026) |
|---|
Family
| Twin Brother | Dan Kriel |
|---|---|
| Great-grandfather | John Hodgson |
Career
| Provincial Team | Blue Bulls |
|---|---|
| Professional Debut | Bulls v Rebels, 11/07/2014 |
| Test Debut | 2015 |
| Rugby World Cup Titles | 2019 and 2023 with South Africa |
| Current Club | Yokohama Canon Eagles |
| Club Tenure | Playing in Japan since 2020 with Yokohama Canon Eagles |
| Test Caps | 95 before the scheduled 96th cap against France in Paris (Nations Championship, November 2026) |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. He and his twin brother Dan Kriel both played for the South Africa Junior Boks in 2014. | |
| 2. His great-grandfather John Hodgson played 15 games for the British and Irish Lions in the 1930s. | |
| 3. He is known for his regular appearances in the South Africa squad during the 2026 season, featuring in nearly every match. | |
| 4. He is one of the few centres to start the Springboks' 2026 Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series matches against New Zealand. |
