Damian de Allende would love to end his career at the Stormers
Springbok centre Damian de Allende said he has been thinking about ending his career in South Africa 'a lot'. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
Springbok centre Damian de Allende said he would love to finish his rugby career in his favourite city in the world, Cape Town, while playing for his former union, the Stormers.
The 87 Test-capped double World Cup winner has played the last three seasons at Japan's Wild Knights, and is set to complete two more there ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
De Allende, now 33, told media on Wednesday that his body 'still feels very good' but his latter years have given him an appreciation for the sport he didn't have before. So he thinks about ending his career in South Africa 'a lot'.
'I don't see myself playing anywhere else'
'My contract finishes in 2027. I really enjoy it there but my body still feels very good at the moment,' De Allende said.
'Obviously, we will see how my body is next year and the year after, how I am mentally and if I can keep up with rugby moving forward. But ideally, I would love to finish in South Africa, and I'd want to finish in Cape Town.
'If the chance does come for me to finish in Cape Town, I can play a season or two in Cape Town in South Africa, for the Stormers and Western Province, I would love to. But we will see when the time comes when it gets closer to the end of my contract. But I don't see myself playing anywhere else besides coming back to Cape Town.'
The Stormers could use a player of De Allende's calibre. After their United Rugby Championship quarter-final exit, they said farewell to a host of players: Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok (Japan sabbatical), Herschel Jantjies (joining Bayonne), Paul de Wet (Bulls), Joseph Dweba (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Loader (Gloucester) and Dave Ewers (retirement).
That followed a season that saw Springbok legend Steven Kitshoff retire while Deon Fourie's future was also questioned after the 38-year-old's season was cut short due to injury.
De Allende still loving rugby, still improving his game
When asked what keeps him motivated, De Allende said a third World Cup would do well to round off his career.
'For me it's just enjoyment of the rugby. Especially playing in Japan, the game is a lot faster there compared to what I played in the past in other leagues.'
He said the tempo of the game in Japan helped him develop his own skillsets, even at his age.
'That's the most important thing. If I was going backwards at this age then I'd have to look at myself in the mirror and be honest with myself. But I am still enjoying myself and feel like I'm improving every day.'
He said it would be 'flipping special' to reach 100 Test caps in the next year or two but the memories he has made – many with his teammates – over a long and enjoyable career will stick with him more than the milestone would.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
Springboks to play best against All Blacks in Rugby Championship
The Boks are done with experimentation, for now, and will be picking close to their strongest squad. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will name a reduced squad of 36 players for opening two games of the Rugby Championship against Australia in due course. Picture: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images The Springboks will be unleashing close to their very best team against the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship, after giving 46 players a run during their first four games of their 2025 international campaign. Over the past weekend the Boks' incoming series came to its end, which included two games against Italy in Pretoria (42-24) and Gqeberha (45-0), and a one-off Test against Georgia (55-10) in Mbombela, while they started their season against the invitational Barbarians (54-7) in Cape Town. All 46 players picked in the squad for the opening four games got a run, with Evan Roos and Ethan Hooker getting the least amount of game time, with both playing just 24 minutes in the second Test against Italy. Every other player at least played more than half a game of rugby, with five players playing once, including captain Siya Kolisi who missed the first three matches through injury, which means 39 players got two run outs or more over the opening four games. Smaller Bok squad A reduced squad of 36 players for the first two games of the Rugby Championship was set to be named on Tuesday, but it has now been delayed and will be revealed at a later date. Speaking ahead of the Georgia game, Bok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick was asked when the management would be aiming to work with a smaller group of players that they would be focussing on going towards the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Stick explained that it was far too soon to be looking at a group that would be playing in that tournament Down Under, but that they would certainly be playing close to their current best group during the Rugby Championship. 'We definitely aren't looking that far ahead yet. Yes, we have a goal going up to 2027, but the main thing at the moment for us is focusing on this season and building our squad depth, while also still winning,' said Stick. 'Because at the end of the year there is a draw for the World Cup and we have to make sure we are in a good position for the draw. On the other side we want to achieve our goal for the season. Tough games 'In the Rugby Championship we are going to have tough games against Australia (at home), New Zealand twice away from home and Argentina (home and away). So we probably will get close to our best possible 35 players that you will see in those (big) games. 'We aren't even thinking about who will be in the World Cup squad come 2027. If you look at some of the youngsters coming through, we are in a really good space. But the closest we will come to our best team will be in the Rugby Championship when we face the All Blacks.' After the match against Georgia, coach Rassie Erasmus also admitted the Boks wouldn't be experimenting much in the Rugby Championship, and that a more settled and tried and tested group would be picked for the first two games against Australia, before another group is picked to go to New Zealand. 'Within that (Rugby Championship) squad, there'll be one or two guys that we experiment with, but the bulk of that squad will be experienced players who are suited to the way we want to play. The Rugby Championship is a step up to tier-two nations, the Barbarians, and the Italy matches,' explained Erasmus.
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘Unlocked': Rugby star Eben Etzebeth launches first book
The book promises an intimate look into Etzebeth's life. Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has announced the release of his debut book, Unlocked. The book tells the story of Etzebeth's life, from growing up in Goodwood in the Western Cape to his rise in rugby. In a recent Instagram post, Etzebeth shared that the book will be available in October this year. 'Over the past few months, I've taken time to reflect on my journey — the highs, the lows, the lessons, the people, and the moments that have shaped me on and off the field,' he wrote. The book also explores Etzebeth's challenges, aspirations, and what it truly took to wear the green and gold jersey. He described the book as a tribute to those who have supported him throughout his career. 'Unlocked tells my story — from growing up in Goodwood to my aspirations, the challenges I've faced, and what it really took to wear the green and gold. Thank you to everyone who's supported me — this one is for you,' he added. ALSO READ: Six decades of Porsche at Kyalami celebrated with new book The book is available for pre-order While not yet on shelves, Etzebeth said the book is available for pre-order through Takealot, Exclusive Books, Wordsworth, Loot, Readers Warehouse, and other major South African retailers. 'It is also available internationally through Amazon UK, Waterstones, and other outlets.' NOW READ: 'End of an era': Shalate Sekhabi exits House of Zwide
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
Video: Boks set to return to Brighton for Japan Test
The Springboks will kick off their end-of-year tour against Japan at the Brighton Community Stadium – the venue of their most shocking defeat. SIMON BORCHARDT reports. In their opening match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Heyneke Meyer's Springboks suffered a 34-32 loss to Eddie Jones' Brave Blossoms. Karne Hesketh scored the match-winning try in the 84th minute after Japan – then ranked 13th in the world – turned down a penalty goal that would have drawn the game. The Boks and Brave Blossoms met again twice in 2019, with South Africa winning a world cup warm-up match in Saitama 41-7 and a quarter-final in Tokyo 26-3 en route to lifting the Webb Ellis Cup. understands that this year's Test in Brighton is scheduled for November 1, followed by matches against France (November 8), Italy (November 15), Ireland (November 22) and Wales (November 29). Also read: Rassie to scale back on 'experiments' The Springboks will play a total of 14 Tests – and 15 matches including the non-cap clash against the Barbarians – in 2025, a workload that head coach Rassie Erasmus has welcomed. 'We have a tough season, but we need that. We still want to filter players and give others opportunities,' he said in March. Erasmus has already fielded 46 players in the Boks' first four matches of the season, including seven debutants. Watch the highlights of the historic match: The post Boks return to Brighton for Japan Test appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
