‘Kriel is the form flank’

Six former Springboks on whether Jaco Kriel should go to the World Cup, and who they would take as their five loose forwards. 

ROBBIE KEMPSON (former Bok prop)

'Kriel should go. It’s tough with Francois Louw as the incumbent, but out of the candidates playing in South Africa, Kriel is the form flank. I’d like to see him tested in the Rugby Championship first. He deserves to be a Springbok. In principle there are only four spots left, because Duane Vermeulen being there is a foregone conclusion. I’d pick Vermeulen, Francois Louw, Willem Alberts and Marcell Coetzee, with Jaco Kriel, Warren Whiteley or Siya Kolisi as the fifth loose forward. I have a feeling Heyneke will go with Oupa Mohoje for the last available spot. If Alberts is used as a lock, Whiteley or Kriel should be next in line.'

WAYNE FYVIE (former Bok flank)

'I have no doubt there should be a seat for Kriel on the plane to England. He has been the stand-out loose forward in the country from the Currie Cup right through to Super Rugby. Duane Vermeulen is certain to go to the World Cup, with Willem Alberts, who thrives in wet conditions, and Francois Louw to also start. Marcell Coetzee and Kriel would be my backups. The unlucky one would be Schalk Burger.'

OLLIE LE ROUX (former Bok prop) 

'Kriel is a very good player and will be unlucky if he doesn’t make the cut, but unfortunately he is competing with some of the biggest names in world rugby. I’m sure no-one will question his selection, but at the expense of which player? My loose forwards would be Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger, Willem Alberts and Marcell Coetzee. Kriel, Warren Whiteley and Pierre Spies are outside contenders.'

CORNÉ KRIGE (former Bok flank)

'Kriel probably deserves to go, but there are just too many good loose forwards, and Heyneke also likes experience – at a World Cup you need it. You've got to look at Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw, Marcell Coetzee, Schalk Burger and Willem Alberts, with Oupa Mohoje and Siya Kolisi pushing for selection too. I don't think there will be a place for Kriel in the group, unfortunately.'

GARRY PAGEL (former Bok prop)

'With the form and consistency Kriel has shown throughout the year, I think he deserves to be in the squad. I would take Duane Vermeulen, Warwick Tecklenburg – he's good as a carrier and with competing on the ground – Schalk Burger, who has to be involved, and I think I'd go with Nizaam Carr ahead of Oupa Mohoje.'

JAMES DALTON (former Bok hooker)

'Based on Kriel's performances, he should at the very least have been in the training squad, but whether he's among the top five loose forwards is debatable. You only have a short time to win a World Cup, so you have to take in-form players. Duane Vermeulen picks himself, Marcell Coetzee always puts in a massive shift, as does Willem Alberts. Kriel would be there too for his go-forward and pace, and Warren Whitely because of the impact he can have on a game.'  

Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images