Rugby
Kriel brothers geared for Jukskei derby─── MORGAN PIEK 08:14 Thu, 23 Jan 2025
The Kriel brothers could face each other again this weekend when the Lions host the Bulls in Johannesburg in the eagerly anticipated Jukskei derby in the United Rugby Championship.
David and Richard, who hail from Bloemfontein, play for the Bulls and Lions respectively, and both are key players for their teams. David, who plays for the Bulls, has recovered from a shoulder niggle, while Richard, representing the Lions, is expected to be named in their matchday 23 for the derby.
Both brothers played first-team rugby at Grey College in Bloemfontein, while they also represented the Free State in the Craven Week. While David started his career at the Stormers, Richard was at the Bulls. They briefly played together in Pretoria before Richard went to Zebre in Italy, and then the Lions.
It won’t be the first time they tackle each other, and interestingly, they live together in Gauteng. In typical brotherly fashion, as game day approaches, it becomes a little more competitive – but in a good way.
The elder of the two, David, said he enjoys facing his sibling, and it comes with quite a bit of banter the closer it gets to game day. “Last season, we also played against each other twice in the derby, and when it comes to the match, there’s a lot more chirping at home,” said Kriel.
“I’m not seeing it as me against my brother; I’m seeing it as the Bulls versus the Lions, and both of us want to win badly. But we’re going to do our best to come out on the winning side. It’s a very exciting game that lies ahead, and we just can’t wait to be part of it again.
Richard and David Kriel with their dad, Gerhard. Photo: Bulls
“Our dad, Gerhard, still can’t decide which team he wants to support – we even made a jersey that’s half Bulls and half Lions. I think he’s a draadsitter (sitting on the fence),” Kriel chuckled.
Kriel added that he doesn’t look for the one-on-one challenge against his brother but welcomes it if it happens.
‘Focus on what the team needs’
“When I step onto the field, whether we’re playing the Lions, and Richard is involved, or any other team, I fully focus on what the team needs – playing within the game plan and how we want to perform,” he added.
“If Richard runs into me, or vice versa, I run into him, it’ll be a lekker challenge. But, yeah, I won’t necessarily go looking for it.”
Saturday’s Jukskei derby between the Lions and Bulls at Ellis Park in Johannesburg will kick off at 14:45.
