Damian de Allende says his hunger for success remains as strong as ever ahead of Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against England at Ellis Park.
The veteran centre, who will earn his 98th Test cap and 10th against England, has won every major honour in the game with the Springboks, including two World Cups, a British & Irish Lions series and three Rugby Championship titles.
“I’m just as motivated as I was earlier in my career and I would really like to win the World Cup one more time,” the 34-year-old said. “But I know I’m getting older and can’t look too far ahead.
“The most important thing is that I still enjoy my rugby. I feel I can still make a difference.”
RASSIE: England always a great rivalry
While the 2019 World Cup final victory over England remains one of the defining moments of his career, De Allende admits it is the Boks’ remarkable comeback victory over the English at Ellis Park in 2018 that still rings loudest.
“I still get goosebumps when I think about how we turned things around in that game,” he recalled. “It was only our second Test under coach Rassie Erasmus.
“England went 24-3 up and we didn’t really know how to deal with it. I remember us standing under the poles after one of their tries, telling each other we were going to fight back like true South Africans.”
MORE: Siya recalls ‘tough, emotional’ captaincy debut
Only De Allende and captain Siya Kolisi remain in the starting XV from that memorable 42-39 victory eight years ago.
Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images
The post Doogz’s Bok fire still burns bright appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Damian de Allende says his hunger for success remains as strong as ever ahead of Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against England at Ellis Park.
The post Doogz’s Bok fire still burns bright appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
