Springbok centre Jesse Kriel is locked and loaded to captain the back-to-back world champions for the first time in a Test match when they take on Italy in Pretoria on Saturday.

Kriel led the Boks in last week’s 54-7 victory over the Barbarians in Cape Town, but that match was uncapped, meaning he is not officially recognised as South Africa’s 67th national captain.

Kriel has been outstanding for more than a year and has consistently delivered strong performances over an extended period.

He says captaining South Africa in a Test is a massive honour and a privilege.