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The Citizen
23-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
100 Test caps not crucial but would be ‘flipping special' — De Allende
'I've had a long career and a very enjoyable career. Made some great mates, made some great memories with them on and off the field, that will stick with me [more] than just the amount of Test matches.' While he's not as close as his friend and Springbok teammate Willie le Roux, Damian de Allende said reaching 100 Test caps in the next season or two would be 'flipping special'. However, the memories he has made over a long and enjoyable career will stick with him more than any milestone would. All eyes are on 35-year-old fullback Le Roux, who needs only two more matches to reach the prestigious landmark. He's been included in Rassie Erasmus' 45-man squad for the early season and is expected to be given less game time after reaching it, to make way for rising stars Aphelele Fassi or Quan Horn, or the arguably more consistent but injury-prone Damian Willemse. Meanwhile, 33-year-old centre De Allende is currently on 87 Test caps. He earns a dozen or so caps every year – 15 in fact, last season. Even with Erasmus rotating the squad regularly last season, the double World Cup winner still started almost all of those games. So chances are good he will win many more caps until the likes of Ethan Hooker find their feet as back-up for De Allende, Jesse Kriel and André Esterhuizen, who are now all in their 30s. 'It won't be the end of the world' 'I'd love to achieve it [the milestone] but if it doesn't happen, it's not the end of the world,' De Allende said. 'If it does happen, it will be flipping special and I will cherish and enjoy it. But if it doesn't happen, at least I know I gave it everything. I left it all out there and gave it the best chance possible.' The centre said he is taking it as it comes, not thinking beyond the next chance to put the Springbok jersey on. 'If I get the opportunity to play again, I will put both hands up and train week in and week out to make sure the team is better. If it happens, it happens – it will be a great achievement, but if it doesn't, it won't be the end of the world. 'I've had a long career and a very enjoyable career. Made some great mates, made some great memories with them on and off the field, that will stick with me [more] than just the amount of Test matches.' De Allende playing with more freedom in his latter years He said even after winning two World Cups, one Rugby Championship, two Currie Cups, the Japanese league, and being named Super Rugby's Player of the Year, his age and accomplishments have only inspired him to play with more freedom and keep improving. 'It feels like the older I get, the more I enjoy myself, the less pressure there is on me and the less pressure I put on myself. 'It comes with age where you start learning about yourself more and you start learning that you enjoy rugby, or sport, a lot more, knowing that you only have a few more years left in you.'
The Citizen
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Van Staden starts, Carr returns as Bulls tweak pack for URC final
The Vodacom Bulls have made one enforced change for Saturday's URC decider against Leinster at Croke Park in Dublin following Cameron Hanekom's semi-final injury. Director of rugby Jake White has promoted Marco van Staden into the starting back row alongside captain Ruan Nortje, with Marcell Coetzee shifting to No 8. Nizaam Carr takes Van Staden's place on the bench in the only alteration to the match 23 replacements. The tight five remains intact with Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw forming the front row, while Cobus Wiese partners JF van Heerden at lock. Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen continue their half-back partnership, with the backline unchanged from last week's victory over the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld. Also read: We're playing for each other, and Cornal – Willie Sebastian de Klerk and Canan Moodie occupy the wings, Harold Vorster and David Kriel combine in midield, and Willie le Roux starts at fullback. White maintains his five-three bench split with Carr joining Akker van der Merwe, Alulutho Tshakweni, Mornay Smith and Jannes Kirsten as forward cover. Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes and Devon Williams provide backline options. The Bulls head to Croke Park aiming to turn a promising record against Leinster into URC silverware. White's men have beaten the Irish giants in two semi-finals – including a famous win in Dublin – and lead the head-to-head 4-2 going into their third Grand Final in four seasons. South Africa's most decorated professional rugby franchise, with three Super Rugby titles and 25 Currie Cups, the Bulls – who boast three Elite XV selections (Hanekom, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wilco Louw) in 2024/25 – look to end a run of two URC final defeats. BULLS – 15 Willie le Roux, 24 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Ruan Nortje (c), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Bench: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 Devon Williams. The post Jake re-jigs Bulls pack for finale appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The South African
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
URC Final Stat Attack: Leinster v Bulls
Bulls and Leinster captains ahead of 2025 URC final. Image: Supplied. Ahead of the historic meeting of Leinster and the Bulls at Dublin's Croke Park for the URC Grand Final, it's worth taking a look at the stats and facts the create such an intriguing storylines around these two incredible teams. URC History New winner of the URC will be crowned. Fourth different winner in four seasons. First URC final outside of South Africa. Third cross-hemisphere finale in a row. First-ever rugby final to be played at the home of GAA. Leinster have never lost a game at Croke Park (four wins from four). The Springboks are the only South African team to ever play at Croke Park, losing 15-10 to Ireland in November 2009. Record eight-time league winners but have not won a title in the URC era. Leinster last lifted a trophy in front of their home fans when they won the league in 2018 defeating Scarlets in the PRO14 Final. RG Snyman voted URC Player's Player of the Season. Have a record 12 players selected for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia. Two players voted into the URC 'Elite XV' team of the season: RG Snyman and Jamie Osbourne. Record v Vodacom Bulls: Played 6; Won 2; Lost 4; Scored 151; Conceded 138. Have beaten Leinster twice in the URC Semi-finals in (2022 and 2024). South Africa's most successful club team winning three Super Rugby titles and 25 Currie Cups. Have lost two URC Grand Finals (2022 v Stormers and 2024 v Glasgow Warriors). Star Players: Double World Cup winner Willie Le Roux, Canan Moodie, Marcell Coetzee, Cameron Hanekom. Cameron Hanekom recently won the URC's Next-Gen Player of the Season award is now injured and misses the game. Three players voted into the URC 'Elite XV' team of the season: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, Cameron Hanekom. Record v Leinster: Played 6; Won 4; Lost 2; Scored 138; Conceded 151. Tickets for the game in Dublin's Croke Park are on sale now with prices starting from just €20 visit Ticketmaster Ireland – BKT Grand Final Tickets to get yours now! WHO WILL BE CROWNED URC CHAMPIONS ON SATURDAY? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
