Talented young Vodacom Bulls utility back Jessie Kriel looks set to be the first player to be given an opportunity to wear the problematic Springbok No 13 jersey at the start of the international season building up to the World Cup.

Kriel played most of his Super Rugby season at fullback, but he has played a lot of his rugby at outside centre.

The former SA under-20 star switched with regular captain Jean de Villiers in joining Stormers star Damian de Allende in the Bok shadow team’s midfield during the open training session at Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

De Villiers is unlikely to start the match as it will be his first appearance on the playing field since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery after being struck down by injury in the final test of 2014 against Wales in Cardiff.

So Kriel, who did most of the training in that position on Monday, can be considered a near certainty to make his debut in the season pipe-opener.

Obviously Springbok assistant coach Johan van Graan was not in a position to divulge whether the team that trained was the team that would play when he was questioned by media following the training session, but he couldn’t contain his excitement at what Kriel could bring to the position if he does play.

“I’ve watched Jessie play since his school days and he is a really special player,” said Van Graan, who doubles his role as forwards coach with that of attack coach.

“He is a really explosive runner and has unbelievable speed. His decision making is brilliant, and I have always been impressed with his hunger to both play and learn. He is one of those guys who wants to learn something new every day. Every moment he is asking you about specific things that can improve him as a player.

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