Latest news with #DavidKriel
IOL News
14-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Bumbling Bulls no match for slick Leinster in URC final
Bulls centre David Kriel is caught in a Leinster sandwich between James Lowe (left) and Andrew Porter in the URC final in Dublin on Saturday. Photo: BackpagePix The Bulls' quest for an elusive United Rugby Championship virtually ended before it began as two early tries set up Leinster's 32-7 triumph in Saturday's final at Croke Park in Dublin. Jake White's team conceded 14 points in as many minutes in a terrible start to the title decider, and were unable to recover and mount a serious challenge to the Irish giants to go down in their third URC final. While they weren't given any favours from Italian referee Andrea Piardi either, what will have disappointed Bulls fans the most is the fact that their team hardly fired a shot in a lethargic opening 40 minutes. While the rainy conditions didn't aid their cause, they mainly resorted to one-off runners when they were able to get their hands on the ball, and Leinster kept them at bay all too comfortably. The Bulls lacked creativity on attack, with their kicking game also letting them down as flyhalf Johan Goosen in particular booted the ball too deep, which resulted in very little pressure being applied on the home side. The South Africans' chase-line didn't have the necessary urgency either, and that allowed Leinster to gain easy metres by running the ball back with purpose. Coach Leo Cullen would have been delighted with his team's start, with Leinster captain and No 8 Jack Conan going over for the opening try in the sixth minute after hooker Dan Sheehan made the initial charge. Luck certainly went the way of the home side for their second try as the Bulls earned a free kick from a scrum, but opted for an up-and-under instead of keeping possession. From the resultant breakdown, Leinster scrumhalf Luke McGrath – a late replacement for the injured Jamison Gibson-Park – put in a clever chip that was hacked ahead by All Black centre Jordie Barrett, who won the chase to score the second try in the 14th minute. It was a long road back from 14-0 down for the Bulls, and they weren't helped by referee Piardi ignoring a few Leinster infringements – such as an early tackle on Harold Vorster, who was also pushed off the ball in another scuffle, as well as awarding a 50-22 to the Dublin outfit despite blowing his whistle for a penalty before the ball had gone into touch. Bulls tighthead Wilco Louw also didn't get early enough reward in his scrum battle against Andrew Porter, but the visitors didn't help themselves either with a lack of physicality, intensity and a few wasted lineout drives. Leinster were ruthless, though, and grabbed their third touchdown when flank Josh van der Flier somehow forced his way through the middle of a maul in the 23rd minute. The Bulls had a chance to reduce the deficit before halftime with a series of lineout drives, but were unable to get over the line to go to the break at 19-0 down. Coach White introduced Akker van der Merwe at hooker early in the second half, and he got the Bulls onto the scoreboard with a well-taken try from a lineout in the 51st minute. But the Pretoria team couldn't kick on from there despite again making their way into the Leinster 22 on a few occasions. Flyhalf Sam Prendergast added two penalties to stretch the lead to 25-7, and then replacement scrumhalf Fintan Gunne finished things off in style with a classy finish. Points-Scorers Leinster 32 – Tries: Jack Conan, Jordie Barrett, Josh van der Flier, Fintan Gunne. Conversions: Sam Prendergast (2), Ross Byrne (1). Penalties: Prendergast (2). Bulls 7 – Try: Akker van der Merwe. Conversion: Johan Goosen (1).
Evening Standard
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Evening Standard
How to watch URC Grand Final: TV channel and live stream for Leinster vs Bulls today
Leinster go into the match as clear favourites as they look to banish the disappointment of their shock home defeat by Premiership finalists Northampton Saints in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup last month, but they did see their 12-match undefeated streak ended by the Bulls in Pretoria back in March after a dramatic late penalty from David Kriel.
The Star
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Jack of all trades David Kriel now a master for Jake White's Bulls in URC final against Leinster
Ashfak Mohamed | Published 3 hours ago In some ways, David Kriel has been a Swiss Army knife for the Bulls over the last few years. Having started out as a fullback for the Pretoria franchise, Kriel was then shifted to wing, and eventually inside centre. This season, he has operated mainly at outside centre, and even been called upon to take over the goal-kicking at times. His best effort off the tee was undoubtedly the two match-winning kicks against Benetton and Leinster. Last October, Kriel banged over a touchline conversion after the hooter to secure the victory over Benetton in Treviso, and in March this year, he landed a penalty in the fifth minute of injury time – about 40 metres on the angle as well – to clinch a 21-20 triumph over Leinster at Loftus Versfeld. Yet, the 26-year-old from Potchefstroom missed out on Springbok selection and the United Rugby Championship Elite XV, with Munster's Tom Farrell preferred at outside centre and Sharks giant André Esterhuizen at No 12. Kriel will hope to prove once more that he should've been picked in that mythical line-up, as well as remind Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus of his qualities in Saturday's URC final against Leinster in Dublin (6pm SA time kick-off). ' I don't know why he's not on the Dream Team. He's probably played every game and I've never taken him off, so he plays 80 minutes,' Bulls coach Jake White said about Kriel from the Irish capital this week. 'I am really surprised that he's never picked up by people on how important he is. He was a fullback as a youngster, he's played wing, he's played 13, he's played 12. 'He's kicked winning kicks for us to win URC games, Leinster and Benetton this year. He's one guy who's been with us since day one. 'I'm almost sure he's played the most minutes for our team in the last four years. 'So, you're right when you say it is incredible that he hasn't been tapped on the shoulder, either for national duty, which I'm sure will come, or people in and around the game don't see the importance he has to us.' Kriel's versatility may see him being viewed as a jack of all trades, but he seems to have mastered them all too – and helping the Bulls win an elusive URC title against Leinster will crown a memorable campaign for him. White highlighted what made him shift Kriel – who stands at 1.96m and weighs about 100kg – from the back-three to the midfield. 'When we played Leinster the very first time, we played them at Aviva Stadium, we lost 31-3 (in 2021). 'I remember standing and watching (Robbie) Henshaw warm-up. And then I watched (Ciaran) Frawley come out. 'And then I watched (Garry) Ringrose come out. And I thought, the only guy that I know that is similar to these three is David Kriel. And at that stage, he was playing wing. 'And then I decided that I'm going to move him closer to the ball. 'And it was based on the fact that that opening game, when I saw the body shape and the skill-sets of what Leinster had, he was the closest that I thought that I could get. 'And I'm so glad I did that because there's no doubt in these four years, you've seen the value of what he's like. 'I think David Kriel is quick enough to be an outside back, so it makes him dangerous inside. 'He's got incredible passing skills, and defensively, understands defence. 'I think the reason for that is a bit like Jean de Villiers to me, in that he understands how you want to attack, and therefore he can read the defence. 'Often people talk about someone's a very good tackler or there's a hell of a difference. 'I'm not saying he's not a good tackler, but I'm saying people assume defence means tackling. 'And I think the one thing he does, he tackles well, but he also understands what you want to do attacking-wise. So, therefore, his defensive understanding is, for me, up there like Jean de Villiers was. 'They know the way you stand and who the dangermen are in your set-up, and he'll actually read it before you can enact the play.'
IOL News
11-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Jack of all trades David Kriel now a master for Jake White's Bulls in URC final against Leinster
David Kriel David Kriel (right), seen here taking on Leinster's All Black centre Jordie Barrett, has been a rock in midfield for the Bulls. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix In some ways, David Kriel has been a Swiss Army knife for the Bulls over the last few years. Having started out as a fullback for the Pretoria franchise, Kriel was then shifted to wing, and eventually inside centre. This season, he has operated mainly at outside centre, and even been called upon to take over the goal-kicking at times. His best effort off the tee was undoubtedly the two match-winning kicks against Benetton and Leinster. Last October, Kriel banged over a touchline conversion after the hooter to secure the victory over Benetton in Treviso, and in March this year, he landed a penalty in the fifth minute of injury time – about 40 metres on the angle as well – to clinch a 21-20 triumph over Leinster at Loftus Versfeld. Yet, the 26-year-old from Potchefstroom missed out on Springbok selection and the United Rugby Championship Elite XV, with Munster's Tom Farrell preferred at outside centre and Sharks giant André Esterhuizen at No 12. Kriel will hope to prove once more that he should've been picked in that mythical line-up, as well as remind Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus of his qualities in Saturday's URC final against Leinster in Dublin (6pm SA time kick-off). 'I don't know why he's not on the Dream Team. He's probably played every game and I've never taken him off, so he plays 80 minutes,' Bulls coach Jake White said about Kriel from the Irish capital this week. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading David Kriel y la primera derrota de Leinster en la temporada — Javier Señarís Senra (@RutgerBlume) March 22, 2025 'I am really surprised that he's never picked up by people on how important he is. He was a fullback as a youngster, he's played wing, he's played 13, he's played 12. 'He's kicked winning kicks for us to win URC games, Leinster and Benetton this year. He's one guy who's been with us since day one. 'I'm almost sure he's played the most minutes for our team in the last four years. 'So, you're right when you say it is incredible that he hasn't been tapped on the shoulder, either for national duty, which I'm sure will come, or people in and around the game don't see the importance he has to us.' David Kriel soars over the try line as the Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby go one step closer to the Grand Final ✈️#BKTURC #URC | #BULvSHA — BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) June 7, 2025 Kriel's versatility may see him being viewed as a jack of all trades, but he seems to have mastered them all too – and helping the Bulls win an elusive URC title against Leinster will crown a memorable campaign for him. White highlighted what made him shift Kriel – who stands at 1.96m and weighs about 100kg – from the back-three to the midfield. 'When we played Leinster the very first time, we played them at Aviva Stadium, we lost 31-3 (in 2021). 'I remember standing and watching (Robbie) Henshaw warm-up. And then I watched (Ciaran) Frawley come out. 'And then I watched (Garry) Ringrose come out. And I thought, the only guy that I know that is similar to these three is David Kriel. And at that stage, he was playing wing. 'And then I decided that I'm going to move him closer to the ball. 'And it was based on the fact that that opening game, when I saw the body shape and the skill-sets of what Leinster had, he was the closest that I thought that I could get. 'And I'm so glad I did that because there's no doubt in these four years, you've seen the value of what he's like. 'I think David Kriel is quick enough to be an outside back, so it makes him dangerous inside. 'He's got incredible passing skills, and defensively, understands defence. 'I think the reason for that is a bit like Jean de Villiers to me, in that he understands how you want to attack, and therefore he can read the defence. 'Often people talk about someone's a very good tackler or there's a hell of a difference.
TimesLIVE
31-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Bulls beat Edinburgh at Loftus to book URC semifinal spot
Whatever Jake White said to his players at half time, it worked wonders. Edinburgh went to the break with the lead and some momentum but the Bulls returned a different side to stamp their authority as they eventually ran out 42-33 winners. With this win, the Bulls have also secured a place in the United Rugby Championship semifinal at home on Saturday. They now wait for the result of the quarterfinal match between the Sharks and Munster in Durban, which kicked off late on Saturday, to find out their semifinal opponents. When the halftime bell went, they scored three tries each but Edinburgh enjoyed a slender three points lead but they could not hold on to when play resumed. Bulls scored their first half tries through Cameron Hanekom, David Kriel and Harold Voster while the visitors ticked the scoreboard with efforts of Wes Goosen and a brace from Ross Thompon. But they started the second half with three quick tries in a space of less than ten minutes from Canan Moodie, Keagan Johannes and Ruan Nortje giving them a firm grip on the match. Before the second half drama unfolded, Bulls suffered a blow inside five minutes when Sebastien de Klerk was sent to the sin bin for clumsily catching Darcy Graham on the chin. The Willie x Canan link-up is special 🤌🤌 📺 Stream #VURC on DStv: — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) May 31, 2025 The visitors were the first to register their name on the score sheet after six minutes when Wes Goosen ran on the far side to touch down and Ross Thompon was spot on with his kick. Johannes narrowed the points gap to four with a penalty after Jamie Ritchie was pinged by referee Adam Jones for shoving the Bulls jumper in the line-out. But the visitors pulled away again after 15 minutes when Thompon got their second try much to the frustration of the Bulls supporters on the stands. Before the 20th minute mark, Bulls got back in the game when Hanekom powered his way over the white line for their first try but Johannes missed from the kicking tee. Edinburgh were dominating the match at this point and Thompson registered his second try and it was quickly followed by the second one for David Kriel after he was fed the ball by veteran Willie le Roux. Bulls narrowed the gap to three points when Harold Vorster dotted down on the near side but Kriel missed his first kick after he took over the duties from Johannes who missed two earlier on. The Bulls got the second half off to a good start when Moodie and Johannes scored the fourth and fifth tries to give the hosts the lead for the first time in the match. The good news was that Johannes, who was back on kicking duties, managed to put away those two conversions as the Bulls started to turn it on after the break. Edinburgh tried to get back in through a try from Ewan Ashman and Goosen's second of the afternoon but the Bulls held on for this crucial victory that kept them in the hunt for their first URC title. Bulls (18) 42 Edinburgh (21) 33
