Discover the captivating biography of Jesse Kriel the rugby athlete

Jesse Kriel is a South African National Rugby Union player representing the Springboks and the Canon Eagles. He has participated in two victorious Rugby World Cups and has emerged as one of the fastest-rising rugby players in the country.

South Africa's Jesse Kriel likely got his sports-loving genes from his great-grandfather, a former professional rugby player. He started playing as a young boy and has built an impressive career. Keep reading and find out Kriel's biography and life story.

Jesse Kriel's profile and bio summary

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How old is Jesse Kriel?

The Springboks rugby player Jesse Kriel (aged 30 years old in 2024) was born on February 15th, 1994, in Cape Town, South Africa. His height is listed as 1.86 metres, and his weight 95kg.

Jesse Kriel's family

The rugby fullback is the son of Angela Linda Diana Hodgson, but the details of his father remain a mystery. The player grew up alongside two siblings, Matthew Kriel and Jesse Kriel's twin brother, Dan Kriel. Dan is also a professional rugby player.

Kriel's maternal grandfather, John Hodgson, was a renowned rugby player who represented England and won seven caps. Additionally, he made 15 appearances for the British & Irish Lions in the 1930s and was Lion No. 265. In 2020, Kriel's family received Hodgson's Lions cap and is likely the only one left. While responding to the gesture, Jesse said,

I’d always heard from my gran, who was married to his son, that he was a big guy and a really hard man from the stories that I heard – playing in the forwards as a big strong guy.

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Is Jesse Kriel married?

Who is Jesse Kriel's wife? Netizens are eager to peek into Jesse Kriel's love life. The rugby centre is in a relationship with Hope-Natalie Anne Mortimer, a South African national born on October 31st, 1994. The couple started dating in 2018.

In June 2020, during their two-year anniversary, Kriel described the two years as the best of his life through an Instagram post. The post read:

A million times over. I will always choose you. Two of the best years!

Career

Kriel spent his youth career with the Sharks (2012) and the Blue Bulls from 2013 to 2015. His stay with the Sharks earned him a spot at the Under-18 Craven Week tournament, which included him in the South African Schools Side in 2012.

Jesse Kriel and his brother joined the Bulls in 2013. Jesse joined the Under-20 team for the IRB Junior World Championship, replacing Sergeal Petersen, who suffered an injury. He was a substitute in the matches against England, France, and the United States and made his first start of the competition in a game against New Zealand.

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Jesse attained 42 points for the team and helped the Bulls win the under-19 Provincial Championship Competition in 2013. He also appeared thrice for the Under-21 side. Additionally, he played for South Africa's Under-20 side at the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship and was one of the two vice-captains for the tournament.

The athlete continued his senior career with the Bulls until 2019. He joined the Springboks in 2015, becoming Springbok number 867. He was part of the World Cup crew that won the trophy in 2019 and 2023. In the same year, he joined the Japanese club NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricane until 2016.

Jesse's current team is the Japanese franchise Canon Eagles, which he joined in 2020. He has made over 50 appearances as of February 2024. In 2021, the 30-year-old was named in South Africa's 46-man squad for the British and Irish Lions Tour.

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Jesse Kriel's workout routine

Besides his impeccable rugby skills, Jesse is a fitness enthusiast who regularly shares his routine on social media. During his days at the university, he would sneak out and work out in the school's gym, even at night. He frequently runs and lifts weights. Jesse Kriel's diet also plays a significant role in his fitness. According to News24.com, Kriel's meals include chicken, vegetables, sweet potatoes, and healthy supplements.

Jesse Kriel's net worth

Jesse Kriel has built a stable financial base primarily from his professional career. According to Surprise Sports, Kriel is worth between $1 and $3 million. His earnings constitute his club salary, investments, and sponsorship deals. He earns an estimated £600,000 per year.

Jesse Kriel on Instagram

The South African player has an impressive online following. Jesse has over 287k Instagram followers (As of February 2024). On X(Twitter), Jesse has over 38k followers. His Facebook fan page has over 46k followers.

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Final word

Jesse Kriel is known for his versatility and swiftness on the pitch, regardless of his role. The World Cup winner continues to fly high in the Japanese club and will continue thriving even in his home team.

READ MORE: Who are the 10 fastest rugby players in the world currently?

Sports Brief published a listicle of 10 of the fastest rugby players worldwide. Speed is a critical factor in the outcome of a rugby match, and some professionals have stood out thanks to their sprinting abilities. Who are some of the fastest rugby athletes?

Adam Radwan from England tops the list with a record speed of 10.85m/s. Louis Rees-Zammit from the United Kingdom takes second position with a speed of 10.81 m/s. Check out the article above for the complete list of the fastest rugby players.