Springboks, All Blacks rivalry unmatched, says Jesse Kriel ahead of Eden Park clash

Springbok captain Jesse Kriel did not hold back in labeling Saturday’s crunch clash with the All Blacks in Auckland as the “ultimate Test match,” when he fronted the media for the traditional eve-of-match press conference in Auckland.

Kriel, calm and cool just 24 hours before the most eagerly-awaited kick-off since the World Cup final between these teams in 2023, said: “Firstly, playing in the green and gold jersey always excites me.

“I always want to play my best, and as a team, we want to beat the best, so this is the ultimate Test match.

“It’s also a vital game for us in the Rugby Championship, so it doesn’t get bigger than this in terms of playing the No 1 team in the world, the All Blacks, in New Zealand at Eden Park.”

Kriel is deputising as skipper, even though Soya Kolisi is starting at No 8 after coming to the team as a replacement for the luckless (and injured) Jean-Luc du Preez.

“It’s a massive privilege. At the beginning of this season, I wouldn’t have thought it (the captaincy) would be happening, but the most important thing is that I do my job and what is expected of me as a player. The rest takes care of itself. I’m extremely proud, extremely privileged – it’s a massive honour.”

The Boks have not won at Eden Park for 88 years, while the All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park since 1994. They are on a 50-match unbeaten streak and would dearly like to make the Boks statistic number 51.

“The magnitude of this game excites me,” Kriel said. “As a competitor, you want to be involved in the biggest Test matches, and this is right up there. You want to test yourself against the best – whether it’s in your position or in terms of world rankings.

“However you want to call it, this match is the ultimate, and that’s what excites you as a player.”

Like the multitude of Springboks and All Blacks fans, Kriel says the players have been eyeing the date “September 6” for months.

“We know this is an extremely important game for us, one we’ve been looking forward to for a long time. Tomorrow doesn’t get any bigger or any more exciting for us as players and for people watching.”

Kriel’s match-23 contains 17 players who featured in the Boks’ second Test victory over the Wallabies in Cape Town. Rassie Erasmus has kept changes to a minimum as he puts rotation on hold for this match.

The All Blacks lost their last game, to Argentina in Buenos Aires, and are desperate to bounce back. But Kriel says the Buenos Aires result is irrelevant.

“The All Blacks are always a tough team to play against, regardless of whether they won or lost in their previous game. They are players of the highest class, and the rivalry between the Springboks and New Zealand is, in my opinion, something that’s unmatched.

“I don’t think the loss will make any difference – they’ll be just as motivated as they would have been if they had won. It’s going to be a great game.”

The icing on the cake of this epic occasion is the 100-Test milestone of All Blacks legend Ardie Savea. Kriel was full of praise for the flanker.

“What stands out about Ardie is how he handles the big moments. He has huge moments in games wherever he plays. I’ve played against him in Japan, in Super Rugby, and in Test matches, and he always puts up his hand and makes big moments. Ardie works hard and is a big figure for the All Blacks. He leads by his actions.

“It’s a massive occasion and a big milestone for him – an awesome achievement.”