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South Africa launch their five-match countdown to the Rugby World Cup on Saturday with coach Heyneke Meyer praising debutant centre Jesse Kriel.
After a season playing at fullback for Super Rugby’s Northern Bulls, the 21-year-old gets his big chance wearing the number 13 shirt against a World XV at Newlands in Cape Town.
The only mild disappointment for the exciting runner is that caps will not be awarded as the match is not considered a test.
"Jesse is an unbelievably exciting player and I have always rated him highly," said Meyer, a coach not prone to false praise.
I think [Kriel] could go on to become one of the best outside centres South Africa has produced
Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer
"He is probably among the most talented players I have coached and this is a great opportunity for him.
"I think he could go on to become one of the best outside centres South Africa has produced.
"Jesse has got acceleration that you do not often see.
"I like my number 13 to be able to take the outside gap, which not a lot of them can do."
A believer in experience, the Springboks handler has shifted his faith to youth at centre and fly-half for the clash with a World XV skippered by retired South Africa lock Bakkies Botha.
Kriel, 21, will partner Damian de Allende, 23, at centre with another 21-year-old, Handre Pollard, the playmaker.
"They are obviously going to make mistakes having never played together," conceded Meyer.
"But whatever they lack in experience can be made up in excitement."
Meyer is equally excited about inside centre Jean de Villiers coming off the bench during the second half for his first match action since a horrific knee injury eight months ago.
As the 34-year-old was stretchered off during a test loss in Wales, many Springbok supporters doubted they would see him wearing the green and gold again.
"I never thought he was going to be back for this game," admitted Meyer. "He has really worked hard to be here.
"Jean is an inspiration to all South Africans. If you have a dream, anything is possible."
Including De Villiers, 12 of the possible World Cup starting line-up could play at Newlands. Injuries rule out scrum-half Fourie du Preez, flanker Willem Alberts and number eight Duane Vermeulen.
South Africa began last season with a 47-13 triumph over a World XV, but Meyer believes it could be tougher this time.
"With the core of this World XV coming from Toulon, they will be a well-oiled machine who do not need a lot of time to find their feet," he warned.
"Bakkies knows how we play and I must make some adjustments – but that is what international rugby is all about."
Former Australia coach Robbie Deans will handle a World squad that boasts two ex-All Black stalwarts, lock Ali Williams and prop Carl Hayman.
Among the matchday 23 are 10 players from European club champions Toulon, including the Armitage brothers – fullback Delon and flanker Steffon – who have both played for England.
"As a coach you relish the chance to work with talented players and this World XV has the experience and quality to really test South Africa," said Deans.
"We need to match the intensity and physicality as well as the skills levels of one of the leading World Cup contenders."
South Africa play Australia in Brisbane on July 18, New Zealand in Johannesburg on July 25 and Argentina in Durban on August 8 in a shortened 2015 Rugby Championship.
A test in Argentina on August 15 completes the match countdown ahead of World Cup Pool B clashes with Japan, Samoa, Scotland and the United States in September and October.

Teams
South Africa: Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana, Handre Pollard, Ruan Pienaar, Warren Whiteley, Marcell Coetzee, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield (captain), Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Vincent Koch, Teboho Mohoje, Schalk Burger, Cobus Reinach, Patrick Lambie, Jean de Villiers
World XV: Delon Armitage (ENG), Lachlan Turner (AUS), JJ Engelbrecht (RSA), Maxime Mermoz (FRA), David Smith (SAM), Mike Harris (AUS), Luke Burgess (AUS), Luke Whitelock (NZL), Steffon Armitage (ENG), Jordan Taufua (NZL), Bakkies Botha (RSA, captain), Ali Williams (NZL), Carl Hayman (NZL), Craig Burden (RSA), Gurthro Steenkamp (RSA)
Replacements: David Roumieu (FRA), Alexandre Menini (FRA), Petrus du Plessis (RSA), Flip van der Merwe (RSA), Louis-Benoit Madaule (FRA), Maxime Machenaud (FRA), Andrew Horrell (NZL), Rudi Wulf (NZL)


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Rugby World Cup 2015

Coach Heyneke Meyer hails debutant Jesse Kriel as Boks begin countdown to World Cup

Jesse Kriel (right) has been tipped for greatness by South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer ahead of the Northern Bulls centre's Springboks debut on Saturday. Photos: AFP

Heyneke Meyer counts Jesse Kriel “among the most talented players” he has coached.

Sport

Rugby

South Africa launch their five-match countdown to the Rugby World Cup on Saturday with coach Heyneke Meyer praising debutant centre Jesse Kriel.


Coach Heyneke Meyer hails debutant Jesse Kriel as Boks begin countdown to World Cup

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}South Africa launch their five-match countdown to the Rugby World Cup on Saturday with coach Heyneke Meyer praising debutant centre Jesse Kriel.

South Africa launch their five-match countdown to the Rugby World Cup on Saturday with coach Heyneke Meyer praising debutant centre Jesse Kriel.