Jesse Kriel reveals brutal Rassie Erasmus message that kept the Springboks grounded

Double World Cup-winning centre Jesse Kriel has revealed a brutal message that Rassie Erasmus hammered into the Springboks and explained the positional rivalry within the squad.

South Africa had plenty of depth during their 2023 World Cup triumph, highlighted by Kriel slotting in seamlessly when Lukhanyo Am was ruled out through injury.

Lukhanyo Am x Jesse Kriel

In 2019, Am starred for the Boks in the number 13 jumper and produced some of his trademark magic in the final to assist Makazole Mapimpi in the final.

However, he did not feature during France 2023 due to injury, and even when he was called up, Jacques Nienaber and Erasmus preferred Kriel in the position.

Kriel has since explained the relationship he and Am share as they push one another to be better.

“A lot of people like to make it up as it is one and two and this and that, but Lukhanyo Am and I share a special relationship. We are really, really good mates on and off the field,” Kriel said on the Boks Office podcast.

“That’s the really special thing in the squad where guys actually want the best for each other, and it’s very rare in professional sport. During the World Cup, when he [Am] came back, he was sending me personal messages on the opposition 13 that I was playing against.

“He was mimicking opposition outside centres in training, trying to be the best Gael Fickou that he could be during the week.”

Rassie Erasmus’ message

That culture of doing the best for the team is something Erasmus has cultivated within the squad since his return in 2018, and Kriel emphasised that fact, reiterating the Bok coach’s mantra and the message that kept them grounded.

“From that aspect (positional competition), that is what Rassie always speaks about is having the right people, not necessarily the best people, because I mean, he said to us many times, ‘there are much better rugby players than you guys all around the world that could be in the team’, but he always speaks about having the right people,” Kriel added.

“That is a very important thing because, when it comes to squad selection and things like it, obviously, you’re disappointed if you are not playing, but you understand that you’ve got a role to play.

“Everyone is so clear of their roles, whether you’re in the team or whether you’re not in the team, whether you are on the water, different things like that. Just understanding your role, putting your ego to the side, and understanding what’s the best for the team.

“Understanding that there’s something bigger than yourself that you are playing for. You play for your country, and it sounds like a cliche, everyone plays for their country, but I think we’ve really got something special here, and we speak about it a lot as a team as well. We are constantly reminding each other of the importance of wearing the Springbok jersey.”

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Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers’ reaction

Ex-Springbok captains Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers were impressed by Kriel’s admission, as that culture was something they strived to achieve during their illustrious careers.

“I love the fact that you are competitive, but you are trying to make your mates better,” Burger said.

“That wasn’t always the case [with the Springboks], certainly not when we started in the early 2000s.

“We worked hard at it over the time, and with the bulk of our generation, we sort of got that attitude.

“You push each other hard if I’m playing better rugby, then the next guy, for example, he’s going to push himself harder to become better, and that’s how you create this squad with depth. It’s so lekker to see if you can add to your mate’s success; I think that’s one of the biggest tricks in life.”

De Villiers added: “There is nothing worse than being on a training pitch and there is someone sulking.”

Kriel agreed and emphasised that rugby is a team game, and if that is not your attitude, then you are better off playing an individual sport.

“When you got up there to get your World Cup gold medal, everyone gets the medal,” he said. “Winning together is better than winning alone. If you want to win alone, go play tennis or another individual sport.”

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