As the Vodacom Bulls edge ever closer to their Vodacom United Rugby Challenge Grand Final in Dublin this weekend against Leinster, coach Jake White recalled that the team’s first ever game in the same city in the newly formed competition four years ago was where the seeds were sown for possibly the Bulls' most important backline player.
Back then, after the Bulls were soundly beaten by Leinster in the opening weekend of the new competition, White believed that he needed a new type of midfielder, and decided to move David Kriel from fullback/wing to the midfield to see how he adapts.
Fast forward years later and Kriel is now a regular in the Bulls backline and probably their most valuable team player, with White hailing him as one of the keys in the Bulls' success this season.
David Kriel soars over the try line as the Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby go one step closer to the Grand Final ✈️@Vodacom #URC | #BULvSHA pic.twitter.com/W0SpwnYw27
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) June 7, 2025
White did tell Irish media pitchside at the team’s practice on Tuesday that he was surprised that Kriel hadn’t been called up to the Springboks yet, and that people still underestimated the midfielder’s influence on the Bulls’ squad.
“I am surprised by how people don’t realise how important he is to us,” White said.
“He was a fullback as a youngster, he’s played wing, he’s played 12 and 13, he’s kicked winning penalty goals for us against Leinster and Benetton this season. He’s been with us from day one and I’m almost sure he’s played the most minutes for us in the past four years.
“So it is incredible that he hasn’t been tapped on the shoulder for national duty, which I’m sure will come. I'm surprised other people don't recognise his importance.”
White remembered the moment he thought Kriel would make a top 13 and how the defeat against Leinster had spurred that decision on.
“I remember watching Robbie Henshaw, Ciaran Frawley and Garry Ringrose and I thought to myself that the only player we have who is similar to them in terms of body shape and skill set is David Kriel. And at that stage he was playing wing.
“It was then that I decided to move him closer to the ball and I’m so glad I did, because you’ve seen his value over the past four years.”
White continued to sing Kriel’s praises and underlined his importance to the Bulls, especially as they look to overcome massive odds to win in Dublin this weekend.
“He is quick enough to be an outside back, which makes him dangerous inside. He’s got incredible passing skills and he understands defence.
“He’s a bit like Jean de Villiers to me in that he understands how teams want to attack and can therefore read the defence. People assume defence means tackling. David tackles well but he also has that defensive understanding. He knows the way they stand and who the danger men are in the setup and he will read the play before they can enact it.”
White said it would be massive if the Bulls could defy the odds and win the title away from home on Saturday.
“I read an article about the top 15 clubs in the world and their budgets, and we weren’t mentioned. And Leinster would be considered one of those top clubs.
“Playing in three finals shows that this group is good enough, but I’ve been around long enough to know that there’s not a service award. You don’t get to win trophies just because you play in finals. People think if this is your third final, then this is the one you win. But you can play in 10 finals and never win one. There is no right to win these games.
“To get over the line would be incredible for us, a massive achievement, especially for this group who I still don’t think are where they could be.”
2022 ❌
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 10, 2025
2024 ❌
2025 ❓
Will it be third time lucky for the Vodacom Bulls in a #VURC Grand Final this Saturday? pic.twitter.com/nwDf7b2a6k