When Dan Kriel and his family left South Africa for the USA in 2022, representing the USA Eagles was the furthest thing from his mind.

The move was about family, a fresh start and building a better future after one of the most challenging periods of their lives. Rugby had always been central to Kriel’s identity, but this time, the decision was about something much bigger than the game.

Four years later, that journey has brought him to the international stage, with the prospect of a Rugby World Cup now on the horizon.

The Seattle Seawolves center was recently named in the USA XV’s October squad ahead of their two-game series against Australia XV. Following a 63-12 defeat in Nashville last Saturday, Kriel is set to make an appearance in a USA jersey this Friday in the uncapped encounter, beginning an unexpected new chapter in his career.

For Kriel, the chance to wear the USA colors carries significance far beyond rugby.

“I definitely think so,” Kriel says when I ask whether America had given him and his family a second chance. “It’s given us so much more perspective. The world is such a big place and America’s such a great country.

“To put the USA jersey on and represent them on the international stage would not only make me super proud, but definitely my family really proud. It would be a proud moment to represent this country.”

Born and raised in South Africa, Kriel came through the country’s professional rugby system, playing Super Rugby for the Bulls, Stormers and Lions. He developed alongside his twin brother, Jesse Kriel, with both representing South Africa at the 2014 World Rugby Under-20 Championship.

Their careers eventually took different directions. Jesse went on to become a Springbok and one of the leading centers in world rugby, while Dan continued to build his own professional career before an opportunity thousands of miles away changed the course of his life.

In 2022, Dan and his wife, Candice, moved to the US with their two children to join the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby. The move followed Candice’s breast cancer treatment, a difficult chapter that brought life, family and the future into sharp perspective.

“Candice had just finished up her breast cancer treatment, and obviously that was a really crazy moment for us as a young family,” says Kriel.

“We wanted to try and give our kids a better future. It was about our kids’ future, our future, something different, something new. It’s been the absolute best decision we’ve ever made.

“I also felt that it was the best decision for my career in rugby. It’s been the greatest move for us and our family, for our kids and for their future.”

Since arriving in Seattle, Kriel has established himself as one of Major League Rugby’s standout centers, making 68 appearances and scoring 15 tries for the Seawolves. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he has played a key role in keeping the club among the league’s strongest sides, including a run to the MLR Championship final in 2024.

His experience, physicality and commitment have made him a key figure in the midfield and a popular presence within the club and its community.

“I made it really clear to them before coming out in 2022 that if we were going to make a move like this across the world, I’d like to be loyal,” he says. “I’m a loyal guy, and I’d like to be with one club.

“We’ve met some really incredible players and lifelong friends that I’ve played with, some great coaches. Seattle’s such a great sporting city. The fans really get behind all sports and support the players and the teams.”

Away from the field, the Kriels have also made giving back to their community a priority.

In 2020, Dan and Candice founded Happy Bundles, a charity supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer in South Africa. After relocating to the Pacific Northwest, the Kriels set out to expand their mission internationally, extending their support to families across the US, particularly in Seattle. Establishing the organisation in a new country without an existing network presented challenges, but their dedication is beginning to pay off.

Happy Bundles raised $170,000 at its first gala last year, followed by an impressive $280,000 at its second gala a month or so ago.

“When we started up, it was obviously really tough when we got here. We didn’t know anyone, we didn’t have a network,” says Kriel.

“All the hard work we’ve put in, and the things people don’t see behind the scenes, it’s pretty special for it to be paying off and for people to be supporting and learning more about Happy Bundles and these kids and their families battling childhood cancer.”

The charity reflects how the move to America has shaped the Kriels’ lives. What began as a search for a fresh start has become an opportunity to build relationships, support others and establish a home.

“It provided a home for my family and myself. It’s given us the opportunity to leave South Africa and start a new life here,” he said.

“There’s just so much opportunity. It’s special. It is home for us.”

When Kriel first arrived in the US to play rugby, representing the Eagles was not part of the plan.

The short answer he gave me was simple, “I never even thought of it.”

His focus was on settling his family and making the most of his opportunity with Seattle. But after several seasons and conversations with USA Eagles men’s head coach Scott Lawrence, the possibility of representing the country that had adopted him became increasingly appealing.

“It wasn’t something that I thought of or dreamt of. When we moved here, it was obviously just to make sure our family’s in a better place, that they’ve got better opportunities and better safety.

“But obviously after five seasons and going into my sixth, I was approached about the possibility and joined an Eagles alignment camp in February.

“The opportunity and pride to try and represent America feels very special to me. With it also being the World Cup next year, it’s every rugby player’s dream to go to a World Cup so that’s an enormous drive. But we’ll see what happens.”

The opportunity is now tangible as Kriel prepares for Friday’s game against Australia XV in New Jersey, where he is set to earn his first chance to wear USA colors.

Kriel will not be eligible to play in an official capped Test for the USA until he meets World Rugby’s five-year residency rule requirements in 2027, ruling him out of next month’s Eagles squad for the Nations Cup in Europe. Nevertheless, his experience and physical presence could offer a valuable edge to the midfield as the team builds towards the World Cup.

For Kriel, the prospect of earning a place in the USA’s 2027 World Cup squad is exciting, but his priority is contributing wherever the team needs him.

“Whatever the coaching staff or management are needing me to do,” Kriel replies when I ask him about what position he wishes to play in the team.

“I want to make sure that I nail my role one hundred percent, whether it's more of a leadership role, more experience, composure, you know, whatever that role is that they need in the team on the squad, that's what I'm gonna do.

“It's a team sport, it's not about any individuals. So whatever I can do to help the team move forward, in the preparations towards the World Cup next year, that's pretty much what I want to do.”

Kriel also hopes to help develop the Eagles squad. Having experienced rugby in South Africa and spent several seasons in Major League Rugby, he has seen American rugby progress while recognising there is still ground to make up on established nations.

“The quality of rugby in the league has grown tremendously over the last few years,” he says. “Standards have improved, professionalism, the refereeing, just everything really has gotten a lot better.

“Good things take time, and I feel like the league is slowly getting back to where it should be and that will of course help the national team.”

That team-first mentality is what Kriel intends to bring on Friday night. His professional experience could prove valuable as the Eagles respond to last weekend’s heavy defeat and continue their preparations for the challenges ahead.

When Kriel takes the field in USA colors, it will be more than another appearance in a career that has spanned continents. It will mark another chapter in a journey defined by family, resilience and the willingness to embrace an opportunity without knowing where it might lead.

The Eagles jersey was never part of the original plan. But after everything America has given him and his family, the opportunity to wear it means more than he could have imagined.

And for Dan Kriel, there is perhaps no better way to begin giving something back.

*Watch USA XV Men vs Australia XV, Friday 10/30 8:10pm ET on Paramount Plus