News24.com | Coach hails Kriel ahead of Lions farewell: 'What a career ... I don't think he can regret one day'

Jaco Kriel. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)

• Lions loose forward Jaco Kriel looks set to play his final rugby game when they tackle Zebre at Loftus.
• Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has praised Kriel, saying he is "probably one of the toughest men I have ever met in my life".
• Despite several injury setbacks during his career, Kriel played in 11 Tests for the Springboks.

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has paid tribute to loose forward Jaco Kriel, whose rugby career looks set to end this weekend when the Lions tackle Zebre at Loftus Versfeld.

The 33-year-old, who has been hamstrung with injuries of late, played a full 80 minutes in last weekend's narrow 36-39 defeat to Leinster in Johannesburg.

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It was likely Kriel's final match at Ellis Park as the Springbok is expected to retire after this season's URC.

The Lions are already out of the running for the URC playoffs and will conclude their campaign against the Italian side at Loftus on Saturday (13:00 kick-off).

The game is part of a double header, with the Bulls also tackling Leinster in the main match of the day (16:00).

"Fifteen years ago Jaco was a scrawny 19-year-old running around here (at Ellis Park) and I was fortunate to see him develop into the man he has become on and off the field," Van Rooyen told reporters after last weekend's loss to Leinster.

"He has had an enormously tough life.

"To see the product he put out tonight for a full 80, even with very sore knees and age slightly against him, just shows exactly who Jaco Kriel is.

"He is probably one of the toughest men I have ever met in my life, and probably one of the best teammates I have ever worked with.

"He is just relentless. That is his character, that is who he is. When it's really tough, Jaco is the kind of guy you want in your team."

Kriel played 11 Tests for the Springboks and was a key member of the Lions team that won the Currie Cup in 2015. He was also a star performer in the Lions team that made three consecutive Super Rugby finals from 2016 to 2018.

He also had stints at Gloucester in England (2018-2020) and the Kubota Spears in Japan (2016-2018).

"I don't think he can regret one day in his professional career. I spoke to him earlier this week and his career has literally come full circle," Van Rooyen added.

"He started here and he had the privilege to go to Japan, go to Europe and end it off back here. What a career. What a guy."