Jesse Kriel is a South African professional rugby union player for the South Africa national team and Canon Eagles in the Japanese Top League. He is a utility back who can play centre, wing or fullback. Jesse has played 46 test matches for the Springboks and was a part of their Rugby World Cup-winning squad in 2019.
This episode was simply special we get everything from World Cup practices to Jessie’s own examination of the micro-skills of the game. We cover:
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Jesse’s drive to get better by getting a spare gym key cut so that he could train in the evening without the lights on so that others wouldn’t know he was there
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The division of racism in South Africa and how the Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus made this something that his team would tackle headfirst and the inclusion of black and white players in their squad
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The exact details of how Jessie learned to add an offload to his game after playing against Sonny Bill Williams
- The unity that was inside of the South African World Cup squad when they took home the gold in 2019
In terms of episodes, this had something for everyone from coaches to players through to supporters and everyone in between. Jesse turned up to this podcast with a pen and a pad and is a true student of the game and it’s something we can all mirror in our careers and lives.
Download, learn and enjoy.
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FULL SHOW NOTES:
(1:24) (11:58) Handré Pollard, South African Fly-Half
(1:38) Jesse’s World Cup Injury
(2:49) Jesse’s Twin Brother, Dan Kriel
(3:40) Jesse’s Move to Japan to the Canon Eagles
(6:10) (25:44) John Mitchell, Former Bulls Coach
(6:18) Felix Jones, Springbok Attacking Coach
(11:30) South African Under 20’s Current Squad
(12:06) Damian Mckenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Richie Mo’unga - Super Rugby Players and Jesse’s Good Friends.
(15:44) Handré’s Move to Montpellier
(17:10) 2014 IRB Junior World Championship, New Zealand
(25:28) Sonny Bill Williams, Former All Black
(25:50) Hayden Groepes, Bulls Skill Coach
(27:27) ‘The Freeze’ Rugby Bricks Training Program
(29:56) Anton Lienert-Brown, All Black and Chiefs Player
(31:24) (32:10) Rassie Erasmus, World Cup Winning Springboks Coach
(32:38) EXALT Sport, Jesse’s Business
- Exalt Sport Instagram
- South African Xtreme Nutrition, EXALT Sport Product
- South African Perform Better, EXALT Sport Product
(33:42) Caster Semenya, South African Olympic Athlete
(33:49) Kevin Lerena, South African Boxer
(43:40) Jesse’s World Cup Injury
(46:56) South Africa’s World Cup Win
(50:20) Rugby World Cup Final Highlights
(52:11) Jacques Nienebar, New South African Head Coach
(52:55) All Blacks vs Springboks 2019
(56:18) Siya Kolisi and his Story
(57:27) Kolisi’s Humanitarian Work
(59:42) Why South Africa’s World Cup Win Means So Much More
More About Jesse
- Twitter, Instagram
- Rugby Pass Profile
- Rugby Highlights
- Quick 10 Question Interview with Jesse
- Jesse recovering from torn ankle ligaments surgery