VIDEO: Doogz reveals his preferred destination after Japan
VIDEO: Two-time World Cup-winning Springbok centre Damian de Allende has expressed his desire to eventually return to South Africa and finish his career in Cape Town.
The Bok midfielder, who joined the Wild Knights in Japan from Irish giants Munster at the close of the 2021/22 season, made 118 appearances for the Stormers and Western Province after his debut in 2012.
The 33-year-old De Allende has 87 Test caps for the Springboks under his belt and has two more years left in Japan.
This week, the big Springbok centre spoke from the heart about his love for South Africa and, more particularly, Cape Town.
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@rugby365com asked him if he would follow in fellow Springbok Handre Pollard’s footsteps and end his career in South Africa.
“I think about it a lot,” he replied.
“I’ve got two more seasons left in Japan. My contract finishes in 2027.
“And I enjoy it there. My body still feels very good at the moment.
“We’ll see how my body is next year and the year after, how I am mentally, and if I can keep up with rugby moving forward,” De Allende answered.
“Ideally, I would love to finish in South Africa.
“I would like to finish in Cape Town, so if the chance does come for me to finish in Cape Town and I can play a season or two in South Africa for the Stormers and Western Province, I would love to.
“We’ll see when the time comes, when it gets closer to the end of my contract.
“I don’t see myself playing anywhere else besides coming to Cape Town,” he added.
The Springboks are currently in Johannesburg, where they are preparing for their first outing of the season when they face the Barbarians in Cape Town next weekend.
The world-famous international invitational side will once again be coached by the experienced Robbie Deans, with the former Australia and Crusaders coach being assisted by Patrice Collazo (Racing 92, France), Atsushi Kanazawa (Saitama Wild Knights, Japan), and former All Black lock Sam Whitelock.
They’ve played for the @Barbarian_FC before, but this time they will be in green and gold 💚💛
There’s rugby … and then there’s Barbarian rugby 🤩
Head over to @Ticketmaster to buy your tickets for the #Springboks‘ first game of the new season at DHL Stadium:… pic.twitter.com/DYlbRGawai
— Springboks (@Springboks) June 11, 2025
The Barbarian team consists of players who ply their trade in the French Top 14, English Premiership, United Rugby Championship, Super Rugby, and the Japanese League.
De Allende is coached by Deans and Kanazawa in Japan, and was asked if he would impart some knowledge of his Wild Knights coaches to his Springbok coaches.
“I have spoken to the coaches a bit from an attacking side.
“I love the Wild Knights. I love the way we play, and I love that Robbie Deans has taught me a lot.
“But my country comes first. I have a lot of respect for Robbie and Ats [Kanazawa], our attack coach, who is also the Barbarians’ attack coach next week.
“They’ve taught me a hell of a lot in Japan – how to identify space and move the ball and stuff.
“It’s going to be challenging because Robbie and Ats would want the guys to move the ball around.
“And I think the challenge will be, especially when playing the Bokke, you want a loose game. But I think Robbie and Ats will get them to move the ball around in a structured environment.
“Luckily, Lood and I will know a bit about the structure. We don’t know exactly what they will do, but we might have an idea what they will try.”
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