The debate over a year-round rugby calendar continues to rage on, with players and officials alike weighing in on the potential benefits and drawbacks. One player who has been at the forefront of this discussion is Springboks center Jesse Kriel, who has been playing rugby for 11 months straight. In an interview, Kriel stated that he has been doing this for seven seasons as a professional rugby player, and that he is used to it. He also mentioned that he makes a point of resetting after the test match period and coming back to his club, the Canon Eagles, fresh. Despite the challenges, Kriel enjoys his lifestyle and finds it motivating. However, the reality is that many South African and Argentine players, in particular, don't have a clear rest period in the calendar. This has led to efforts to change this reality, with SA Rugby campaigning for change, suggesting that the Rugby Championship should shift in the calendar and be played at the same time as the Six Nations. However, New Zealand has been the biggest detractor, vetoing what was described as the 'first credible attempt' at a global calendar. The debate over a year-round rugby calendar is complex and multifaceted, and it remains to be seen whether it will be implemented in the future. In the meantime, players like Kriel will continue to play rugby for 11 months out of the year, relying on their respective clubs and countries to manage their playing minutes. It's a challenging situation, but one that players like Kriel have learned to adapt to.
