Victor Matfield believes Damian de Allende will prove he is the world’s premier inside centre when the Springboks face the All Blacks in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
De Allende has been rested for Saturday’s Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires and is set to earn his 100th Springbok cap in the first Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park on 22 August.
The veteran midfielder will come up directly against All Blacks star Jordie Barrett, who is widely regarded as one of the world’s best No 12s.
But Matfield has no doubt who deserves that title.
“I know a lot of people say Jordie Barrett is the best 12 in the world,” the former Springbok lock said on the Rugby Rivals podcast.
“We’ll see after this tour. I think Damian de Allende is the best 12 in the world, and he’s been the best 12 in the world for a pretty long time.”
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Matfield expects the 34-year-old to be one of South Africa’s standout performers during the four-Test series.
“We’ve got two key players, and it’s probably not the two you think I’m going to mention,” he said.
“I think Jasper Wiese is going to be huge in this tour. The other one is Damian de Allende, just the work rate that he puts in.”
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Matfield believes De Allende’s influence extends well beyond carrying the ball and making tackles.
“Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] will be back, and he will be keeping him calm in that 10 jersey, helping him with making the right calls and just almost organising the whole attack.
“So for me, he is the player who is going to come through under pressure.”
Photo: Craig Butland/MB Media/Getty Images
The post Matfield: De Allende better than Barrett appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Victor Matfield believes Damian de Allende will prove he is the world’s premier inside centre when the Springboks face the All Blacks in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
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