Springbok star Damian de Allende playing with more freedom, eyes Stormers return

Damian de Allende has this strong urge to end his illustrious career under Table Mountain for the Stormers.

With his contract in Japan set to run until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, the Springbok inside centre pinned his hopes on staying fresh and healthy to have his international swansong at the tournament Down Under.

If everything goes according to plan and he can help the Boks to a third title in a row, he will look to move back home to have one last hurrah in the blue-and-white hoops of the Cape side.

“A third World Cup win would be great to finish off a long career,” De Allende said this week during the Bok camp in Johannesburg.

“I have about two seasons left in Japan and I really enjoy it there.

“My body still feels very good, and I will see how it is after the next two years.

“Ideally, I would like to complete my rugby career in South Africa, and I would only like to finish in Cape Town.

“So, if the chance does come, and I can play a season or two there for the Stormers and WP, I would love to.

“But we will see when the time comes. I don’t see myself finishing my career anywhere else but Cape Town.”

For now, De Allende has his sights set on maintaining his current form to keep his World Cup dream alive.

He’s been South Africa’s in-form No 12 since Erasmus took over in 2018, and has been a mainstay in the Bok midfield.

Although some promising inside centres are making their mark in the United Rugby Championship, and Sharks strong man André Esterhuizen has been blowing in his neck for that jersey, the 33-year-old double World Cup winner is primed not to take his foot off the accelerator just because he is reaching the latter stage of his career.

“For me, it is just the enjoyment of rugby, especially playing in Japan,” the former UCT midfielder from Milnerton said.

“The game is a lot faster there than the other leagues I’ve played in in the past.

“I know sometimes when you’ve achieved so much in rugby, you could lose motivation. But reaching those goals has inspired me to get better.

“I am trying to enjoy my rugby more, and to play with more freedom and a lot less pressure.

“It feels like the older I get, the less pressure there is on me, and I put less on myself.

“You start learning about yourself a lot more at this age.”

De Allende is looking forward to the new season, especially working more closely with attack coach Tony Brown.

He says Brown’s input in his first season has been invaluable not just to the players, but South African rugby.

The hope is that the Boks can evolve even further under the New Zealander.

“It was massively important to get someone like Tony Brown in to test our skills and to teach us new ones, and how and when to move the ball, especially before contact,” he said.

“Rugby is changing, the rules are changing. You can see in some competitions the refs do not want to give scrum penalties.

“It’s been incredible under him for us older guys over the last season, and seeing the skills development of the forwards has been incredible.

“We will go from strength to strength this season, and by next year and the World Cup, it will be exciting for SA rugby.”

Reaching 100 Bok Test caps will be “flippin special” according to the inside centre, and it is something he has thought about.

He is currently on 87 Tests, and could reach that milestone over the next two seasons.

But he will be content if he doesn’t reach it, knowing that he’s had a long, healthy and enjoyable career in the Springbok jersey.

“I will really cherish and enjoy it if it does happen. If it doesn’t, it’s not the end of the world,” the No 12 said.

“I will at least know that I left it all out there and gave it my best chance.

“I want to put both hands up, and train hard week in and week out to ensure the team is better.”