Springbok star’s twin brother switches to Rugby World Cup rivals

Springbok centre Jesse Kriel’s twin brother, Dan, has been named in the extended USA squad as he edges closer to potentially representing the Eagles at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The former Bulls, Stormers and Lions centre has been included in a 35-player squad selected by USA head coach Scott Lawrence for two upcoming non-cap fixtures against Australia XV.

The USA will face the Australian side in Nashville this weekend before the teams meet again in Harrison, New Jersey, on 30 October.

The matches form part of the Eagles’ preparations for the closing stages of the Nations Cup, where they are scheduled to face Hong Kong China, Romania and Georgia.

Although Dan Kriel has yet to make his Test debut for the USA, his inclusion in the extended squad represents another step in his potential international transition.

From South African rugby to the USA

Born in Cape Town, Dan Kriel developed through the Blue Bulls system, winning the provincial Under-19 championship before representing South Africa at the 2014 World Rugby Under-20 Championship.

He made his Currie Cup and Super Rugby debuts for the Bulls in 2016 before going on to represent the Stormers and Lions.

In 2022, Kriel moved to the United States to join the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby (MLR).

He made an immediate impact, scoring four tries in his debut season as Seattle reached the MLR Championship Final.

His performances continued to earn recognition, including selection in the All-MLR Second XV in 2024, when the Seawolves again finished runners-up.

Kriel remained with the Seattle franchise through 2026, establishing himself as a regular starter in American rugby.

World Cup eligibility in sight

Kriel was also included in the USA’s first alignment camp of 2026, indicating that he is being considered as part of the country’s longer-term international plans.

Under World Rugby’s five-year residency eligibility rules, he is expected to become eligible to represent the USA in 2027, potentially opening the door to selection for the Rugby World Cup in Australia.

The USA face a difficult challenge at the tournament, having been drawn in Pool E alongside France, Japan and Samoa.

The Springboks, meanwhile, find themselves in Pool B alongside Italy, Georgia and Romania.

Jesse Kriel’s contrasting Springbok success

While Dan Kriel continues to pursue an international opportunity in the United States, Jesse Kriel has established himself as one of South Africa’s most experienced centres.

Jesse Kriel was part of the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup-winning squads in 2019 and 2023.

He featured in every match of South Africa’s successful 2023 campaign, contributing to the team’s historic fourth World Cup title.

Jesse Kriel has played 94 Tests for the Springboks and should join the ‘100-club’ in mid-2027.

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USA Extended Playing Squad

Forwards
Payton Telea-Ilalio	Unattached
Ezekiel Lindenmuth	Counties Manukau
Fakaosifolau Pifeleti	Chicago Hounds
Tonga Kofe	California Legion
Justus Tavai	California Legion
Mason Pedersen	Seattle Seawolves
Shilo Klein	Unattached
Kaleb Geiger	New England Free Jacks
Sean McNulty	Seattle Seawolves
Jason Damm (Captain)	California Legion
Nathan Den Hoedt	Chicago Hounds
Sam Golla	Unattached
Rhyno Herbst	Seattle Seawolves
Vili Helu	Kurita Water Gush
Benjamin Bonasso	Old Glory DC
Makeen Alikhan	Unattached
Paddy Ryan	Seattle Seawolves
Marno Redelinghuys	Seattle Seawolves
Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz	New England Free Jacks
Backs
Ruben De Haas	Chicago Hounds
Oscar Lennon	Bristol Bears
Michael Baska	Chicago Hounds
Chris Hilsenbeck	Chicago Hounds
Luke Carty	Unattached
David Coetzer*	Seattle Seawolves
Dominic Besag	St Marys College
Tavite Lopeti	Chicago Hounds
Cassh Maluia	California Legion
Wayne Van Der Bank*	New England Free Jacks
Dan Kriel*	Seattle Seawolves
Mark O’Keeffe	Chicago Hounds
Noah Brown	Chicago Hounds
Julian Roberts	Unattached
Conner Mooneyham	Unattached
Joe Mano	California Legion