Watch: Great day turns ugly as Springbok Jesse Kriel has nasty head clash in match-winning performance

Springbok centre Jesse Kriel has inspired his Canon Eagles side to a 40-32 win over Yamaha Jubilo in the latest round of the Japan Top League, but a gruesome injury soured his day somewhat.

Two second half tries by Kriel kept his side in the hunt as they looked to get their first win of the season after three opening losses to keep their season hopes alive.

The first try came on a wrap around play which saw the centre juggle a pass before regathering to score in the corner with an outstretched hand. The put down was on a tightrope with Kriel’s legs narrowly missing touch as he powered over in a two-man tackle.

Richie McCaw continues to push his body.

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Richie McCaw continues to push his body.

The second try was a well-worked set-piece move which saw Kriel recieve the last pass to score directly under the posts after an inside ball to Canon winger and fellow South African SP Marias.

It wasn’t all great news for Kriel, who was involved in an ugly head clash with Australian flyhalf Sam Greene which left the Springbok with a monster cut above his left eye.

For everyone asking, this is how Jesse Kriel got his cut #SaffasAbroad #TopLeague pic.twitter.com/IaGJ9SgwWa

— Darren (@SaffasRugby) March 15, 2021

In a photo shared by Kriel after the match with the caption ‘winners are grinners’, up to seven staples are seen on a makeshift stitch-up of the gruesome cut.

https://twitter.com/JesseKriel15/status/1371303045766676488

Kriel’s two-try performance moved his season tally to three, which is one behind Springbok teammate Malcolm Marx at NTT Shining Arcs and equal with Willie Le Roux at Toyota Verblitz.

Watch: Jesse Kriel’s two tries for Canon against Yamaha below.