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

SPRINGBOK captain Jesse Kriel did not hold back in labeling today’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.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

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

“T 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 Siya Kolisi is starting at No 8 after coming to the team as a replacement for the luckless (and injured) Jean-Luc du Preez.