It was just before the kick-off of Rugby Championship 2014 when this scribe was putting together a list of players to watch for the tournament. One of the players included in the group was a relatively unknown, 23 year old centre hailing from South Africa named Damian de Allende. However, injuries and then falling behind in the Boks’ pecking order led to de Allende not having many opportunities to show what he is made of.
But just like 2015 arrived with a new edition of Super Rugby, so did de Allende with some early blistering form. We have only just concluded round five and already the Stormers are sitting a pretty third on the log and their star inside centre, de Allende, has already been the recipient of two man of the match awards – in two away wins against the Bulls and Lions.
Not bad for the former Milnerton High school student who also played Varsity Cup for the University of Cape Town’s, Ikeys, in 2012. Many fans around South Africa are calling de Allende the best 12 in the country at the moment, with particular lofty praise coming from Nick Mallet, a former Bok coach. Mallet pointed to de Allende’s ability to keep his opposition guessing as his most impressive feature and with his displays so far, it would be difficult to argue against Mallet’s viewpoint.
After collecting his man of the match gong against the Lions at Ellis Park, de Allende was modest and effusive in his praise towards his team mates; but his grace most certainly belies his greatest weapon thus far – his versatility in both attack and defence. It also hasn’t hurt that the Stormers are currently in red-hot form themselves and are looking to be genuine contenders for their first Super Rugby crown – even if they did suffer a setback over the weekend when they were beaten by 2-time champions, the Chiefs, at Newlands 28-19.
With so much rugby to be played before then, it’s a bit early to be talking about the Boks, but based on his early form, de Allende must surely already be in Coach Heyneke Meyer’s plans for the rest of the year. And let’s not forget the very significant fact that the incumbent Bok captain and centre supremo, Jean de Villiers, is currently nursing a very serious leg injury that is threatening his participation at Rugby World Cup in the UK in September.
While every effort and prayer is being made and said that de Villiers recovers in time to lead the side on to foreign fields – after all, the talismanic skipper is a colossal, integral figure for the 2-time World Champions, it will probably help Meyer breathe a little easier that de Allende is in promising form at present. While nobody is suggesting that the 1.89m, 101kg, man nicknamed “Doogie” can fill de Villiers boots what he does offer is a combative playing style which is how Meyer likes to structure his game plans around.
The fact that de Allende has announced that he means business on the field is not just welcome to the Stormers but also to the Springboks and his versatility means he can play centre as well as wing.
If anything is to derail his progress, it would be injuries and then letting the chasing pack overtake him as was the case towards the end of 2014. However, Damian de Allende is very much a star on the rise and he is sure to pick up a few more man of the match awards this season.
