Springboks Bounce Back in Style with Bonus Point Win Against Australia's Wallabies
Springboks Bounce Back in Style with Bonus Point Win Against Australia's Wallabies. Photo: SARugby

Home » Road to the RWC | Springbok player profile:  Damian de Allende

Road to the RWC | Springbok player profile:  Damian de Allende

As part of our build-up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, we continue to profile each player in the Springboks’ squad. Next up: Damian de Allende.

24-08-23 18:31
Springboks Bounce Back in Style with Bonus Point Win Against Australia's Wallabies
Springboks Bounce Back in Style with Bonus Point Win Against Australia's Wallabies. Photo: SARugby

As was the case four years ago, Damian de Allende remains the incumbent inside centre in the Springboks’ World Cup squad as they prepare to head to France.

De Allende faces some strong competition from Andre Esterhuizen, but there is little doubt that his experience in the No 12 jersey will be incredibly valuable, and below we highlight some key information about the 25-year-old in our ongoing player profile series.

LIVE UPDATES: SPRINGBOKS’ ROAD TO THE RUGBY WORLD CUP

PROFILE: DAMIAN DE ALLENDE

Name: Damian de Allende

Born: 25 November 1991, Cape Town

School: Milnerton

Major teams: Springboks, South Africa A, Stormers, Western Province, Munster, Wild Knights

Position: Centre

Height: 6-foot-3

Test debut: South Africa v Argentina in Pretoria, 16 August 2014

Springbok no.: 862

Tests played: 73

Tries scored: 10

Current club team: Wild Knights

All information correct as at 24 August 2023

FOR THE LATEST RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023 NEWS VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE

SPRINGBOKS’ 2023 FIXTURES:

RWC warm-up fixtures:
Saturday, 19 August – Boks vs Wales (Principality Stadium, Cardiff), 4:15pm
Friday, 25 August – Boks vs New Zealand (Twickenham, London), 8.30pm

ALSO READ | Springboks squad explained: 4 scrumhalves, 2 hookers, 2 flyhalves

RWC FIXTURES:

Sunday, 10 September – Boks v Scotland (Stade Velodrome, Marseille), 5:45pm
Sunday, 17 September – Boks v Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux), 3pm
Saturday, 23 September – Boks v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris), 9pm
Sunday, 1 October – Boks v Tonga (Stade Velodrome, Marseille), 9pm

Weekend of 14/15 October – Quarter-finals
Weekend of 21/22 October – Semi-finals
Saturday, 28 October – Final

WATCH: Faf de Klerk CAN and WILL play flyhalf

springboks, siya kolisi Springboks
The Springboks were given a warm sendoff by fans prior to their World Cup journey. Images via Twitter: @springboks

World Cup squad

Props: Steven Kitshoff (Ulster – 74 caps, 10 points), Vincent Koch (Cell C Sharks – 45 caps, 0 points), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers – 61 caps, 5 points), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks – 19 caps, 0 points), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92 – 61 caps, 5 points).

Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks – 60 caps, 60 points), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears – 61 caps, 75 points).

Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks – 112 caps, 25 points), Jean Kleyn (Munster – 2 caps, 0 points), Marvin Orie (Perpignan – 14 caps, 0 points), RG Snyman (Munster – 26 caps, 5 points).

Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz – 69 caps, 30 points), Siya Kolisi (captain – Racing 92 – 75 caps, 45 points), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs – 33 caps, 25 points), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls – 12 caps, 0 points), Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby – 68 caps, 15 points), Jasper Wiese (Leicester – 22 caps, 5 points).

Utility Forwards: Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 0 points), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat – 65 caps, 15 points).

ALSO READ | Springboks’ World Cup pool game referees CONFIRMED

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles – 48 caps, 44 points), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks – 12 caps, 12 points), Cobus Reinach (Montpelllier – 25 caps, 45 points), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks – 4 caps, 0 points).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 45 points), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers – 31 caps, 36 points).

Centres: Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights – 72 caps, 50 points), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins – 13 caps, 0 points), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles – 61 caps, 60 points).

Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls – 9 caps, 50 points), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath – 25 caps, 81 points), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls – 86 caps, 65 points), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks – 38 caps, 115 points), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls – 6 caps, 10 points).