In the Kriel household, bragging rights are a lot more personal

While there are always bragging rights up for grabs in the Jukskei derby, in one household it gets a lot more personal than that.

Brothers David and Richard Kriel stay together, and will face off on Saturday as the Vodacom Bulls head to Johannesburg to face neighbours, the Emirates Lions in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship match.

And the banter has already started. The chirps, the niggles, and the will to want to win to claim those bragging rights for household dominance.

Bulls utility back David laughed about it as he geared up to face his brother this weekend. Kriel has just returned from a shoulder injury while his brother Richard also returned from injury with both expected to be in the starting line-up this weekend.

“Since last season, when we played against each other twice, there’s been a lot more chirping at home,” Kriel laughed.

“But I don’t see it as me against my brother, it’s the Bulls versus Lions and both of us want to win badly.”

Rugby is, of course, a team game and individual rivalries are normally a sideshow, and Kriel admitted he wouldn’t be making it that personal, but if his brother happens to run into his channel, all bets are off.

“I won’t go looking for Richard on the field, but if he runs at me – or vice versa – then it will be a lekker challenge.”

The two brothers competing is one thing, but for the Kriel family it is a tough one on who to support. So David admitted his dad had a jersey made with both teams on it, refusing to take a side.

“Our dad still can’t decide which team he wants to support. He made a jersey that has the Lions on one half and the Bulls on the other! I think he’s a draadsitter!”

It isn’t much of a secret what the Lions are going to do on their home turf, and David believes Richard has given away enough info for him to use this weekend.

“We know the Lions love to run with the ball and my brother often tells me how much they back themselves to do that.

“We will have to be sharp on defence, keep numbers on our feet, and match them physically. You also don’t want to lose your structure. We will stick to our game plan and hopefully come out on top.”

The Bulls will name their side for the clash on Friday.