- Dan Kriel, twin brother of Springbok Jesse Kriel, was included in the USA Eagles' extended 35-player squad for matches against Australia XV
- The South African-born centre has been building his case for international eligibility after moving to the United States in 2022 to join Seattle Seawolves
- Dan is expected to become eligible to represent the USA under World Rugby's five-year residency rule in 2027, the year the Rugby World Cup is hosted in Australia
Dan Kriel, twin brother of Springbok centre Jesse Kriel, has been included in the USA Eagles' extended 35-player squad for two non-cap fixtures against an Australia XV, moving him a step closer to a potential international career switch.
USA head coach Scott Lawrence named the 35-man group as he works to settle his Test squad for the final rounds of the Nations Cup, with the Eagles also set to face Hong Kong China, Romania and Georgia before the competition concludes.
The two matches against the Australian side are scheduled for Nashville this weekend and Harrison, New Jersey, on 30 October.
From Blue Bulls to Seattle Seawolves
Born in Cape Town, Dan Kriel developed through the Blue Bulls age-group system, winning the U19 provincial 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 and later featured for the Stormers and Lions in domestic and continental competition.
In 2022, he relocated to the United States to join the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby. His first season with the franchise produced four tries as Seattle reached the MLR Championship Final. Consistent form over subsequent seasons earned him selection in the All-MLR Second XV in 2024, when the Seawolves again finished as runners-up. He remained with Seattle through 2026.
His inclusion in the USA's first alignment camp of 2026 had already raised the prospect of an international switch, though he has yet to earn a Test cap. Under World Rugby's five-year residency rule, Kriel is expected to become eligible to represent the USA in 2027, potentially in time for the Rugby World Cup in Australia. The Eagles face a testing pool draw, placed alongside France, Japan and Samoa.
While Dan pursues international eligibility, his twin brother Jesse has already reached the pinnacle of the sport. The Springboks centre was part of South Africa's Rugby World Cup-winning campaigns in both 2019 and 2023, featuring in every match of their triumphant 2023 title defence.
Source: Briefly News
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