For Xander Kriel, rugby has been far more than a sport. It has been a constant throughout his life – and a welcome escape from the pressures of everyday life.

Kriel first laced up his rugby boots at the age of seven and has continued playing ever since. His dedication and talent saw him earn representative honours at school level, playing for Northern KwaZulu-Natal under-16 and KwaZulu-Natal Country Districts under-18.

From schoolboy rugby to Sentraal

At the end of 2015, Kriel joined Sentraal Rugby Club, where he has since become an important part of the team and now leads the side as captain.

His rugby journey has also taken him beyond the local club, with Kriel representing Northern KwaZulu-Natal Seniors on numerous occasions.

In 2017, he was selected for the Pumas under-20 side for the Under-20 Currie Cup, now known as the South African Under-20 Challenge.

Despite those opportunities, Sentraal remains close to his heart. After almost a decade with the club, Kriel has no plans to hang up his boots any time soon.

Rugby is his escape

For Kriel, the biggest attraction of rugby is the escape it provides.

“Rugby is a release from everyday life where, for those 80 minutes, I have nothing else to worry about but the game,” he said.

It is also the camaraderie that makes the game special.

“I think the fact that 30 men want to kill each other for 80 minutes and then have a beer together afterwards is what I enjoy the most about this game.”

That combination of competition, commitment and friendship has kept Kriel returning to the field year after year.

Leading from the front

As captain of Sentraal, Kriel now has the opportunity to pass that passion on to his teammates while continuing a rugby journey that began when he was just seven years old.

For a player who has spent almost his entire life on the rugby field, the next chapter is not about looking back – it is about continuing to play, lead and enjoy the game he loves.