Damian de Allende

Springbok star Damian de Allende will leave Irish club Munster at the end of this season – and may be heading back to South Africa. Photo: Andrew SURMA / SIPA USA

Ex-Bok captain lavishes praise on De Allende: He’s got all my respect!

Former Springbok centre and captain Jean de Villiers believes Damian de Allende is only getting better and better.

Damian de Allende

Springbok star Damian de Allende will leave Irish club Munster at the end of this season – and may be heading back to South Africa. Photo: Andrew SURMA / SIPA USA

Springbok star Damian de Allende will leave Irish club Munster at the end of this season – and there has been talk that he may be heading back to South Africa. De Allende, 30, has been with Munster since 2020 and has produced some stand-out performances for the club, although injuries and Springbok duty has rendered him unavailable at times.

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However, there is no doubt that he has made a massive impact at the Irish club, where he has regularly been a standout performer each time he has taken to the pitch, with the burly midfielder having built on the brilliant form he displayed at the 2019 World Cup.

Munster recently confirmed that the World Cup winner will depart at the end of the season, with the centre said to be “joining a club outside of Europe”.

Predictably, there have been strong links with a stint in Japan – which seems most likely – but there has also been talk that he could make a return to South Africa.

Talking about De Allende, former Bok captain Jean de Villiers – who is one of the greatest inside centres to ever play for South Africa – heaped praise on the Bok star.

“In the last couple of years, he has just been phenomenal in the way he has played for Munster and the value for the Springboks has just been amazing,” the former Bok skipper said, as quoted by SARugbymag.co.za. “He was probably among the top-three players for South Africa at the World Cup. His consistency even after that has just been immense.

“His distributing skills as a 12 really is fantastic. His defensive skills, he is like a loose forward in midfield, being able to tackle; he hardly misses a tackle and he is so good on the ground competing as well. That creates slow ball for the opposition and makes defence through phases easier.

“I have only got respect for Damian for what he has achieved and how he has improved his game. At this stage, there is no reason why he should be slowing down. He was phenomenal over the weekend again, great performance. In terms of what he offers the Springboks, he is critical for the success of the Boks and his partnership with Lukhanyo Am has been phenomenal as well.”

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A few weeks ago, De Allende’s teammate Eben Etzebeth appeared to have suggested – when recently answering a question about how he is set to finish his career in South Africa – while mentioning that De Allende had “announced his upcoming return”.

The Sharks are known to be on the look out for an inside centre, but are expected to sign Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

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There is no doubt the Bulls or Lions would welcome a player like De Allende, although any offer would pale in comparison to what he could pocket in Japan.

The burly midfielder is, of course, a former Stormers player, and so there may be interest in returning to Cape Town where he was born and grew up.

Speaking to the Irish media recently, Damian de Allende said it was not yet confirmed where he would go next, but he stated that it would not be English club Bath where current Munster coach Johann van Graan will soon be heading.

Damian de Allende will be ‘leaving Europe’

“I’m not staying, but it hasn’t been confirmed where I’m going. I’m not staying in Europe, so I’m definitely not going to Bath, I haven’t spoken to anyone at Bath.

“I will not be staying in Europe as of the end of the season, which is unfortunate, but I’m looking forward to ending the season on a high … I really want to leave Munster with great memories I’ve made already, but some silverware as well.” 

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