South African center Dan Kriel played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2024. He represented the Seattle Seawolves for his entire MLR career.

The twin brother of Springboks stalwart Jesse Kriel, Dan was born and raised in Cape Town, playing rugby for Maritzburg College in the U18 Craven Week. Kriel joined the Blue Bulls system out of high school and won the U19 provincial championship before being selected for the Springboks U20 side at the IRB Junior World Championship in 2014. He played in the Provincial Championship between 2014-2015, and 2015 Vodacom Cup as well as the 2015/16 Varsity Cup with the U of Pretoria Tuks. He earned both his Currie Cup and Super Rugby debuts for the Bulls in 2016 before moving to Cape Town and joining the Stormers, where he played in both Super Rugby and the Currie Cup until 2019. In 2019 he joined the Lions, playing in Super Rugby, Currie Cup, and Rainbow Cup competitions.

Kriel joined the Seattle Seawolves in 2022 on a 3yr contract, and was a stalwart in their lineup during his time in MLR. he scored 4 tries in 17 games (all starts) in his debut season as the Seawolves finished as Runners-Up following a 30-15 loss to Rugby New York in the Championship Final. Kriel and the Seawolves have qualified for the post-season in each of his 3 seasons in North America’s top flight, and he’s scored 11 tries in 46 games (all starts), carrying for over 3,200m gained (including a high of 1,314 in 2023 when he finished 6th League-wide) and completing over 400 tackles. Kriel was named to the 2024 All-MLR Second XV.

achievements

• MLR Runner-Up: 2024 (Seattle Seawolves)
• 2024 All-MLR Second XV
• 2023 S. Marcus Calloway Award Recipient
• MLR Runner-Up: 2022 (Seattle Seawolves)
• 6th in MLR Meters Gained: 2023 (1,314m)