VIDEO: Bok coach pays emotional tribute to De Allende & Kriel ahead of milestone Test
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick paid an emotional tribute to Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel, who will line up for a record 50th Test as South Africa’s centre partnership when they face France in Round Five of the Nations Championship on Friday.
De Allende and Kriel played their first Test as a centre combination under Heyneke Meyer on July 18, 2015 against the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium, losing 20-24.
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They were also the starting centre combination in the 2015 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand, in which the Boks fell agonisingly short (18-20) to the eventual champions All Blacks.
Stick spoke at length about the duo’s road to the milestone and the trials and tribulations they faced along the way in a heartfelt tribute.
“For me, to be honest, I’m very proud of what they’ve achieved as a combination,” Stick told Rugby365 from the Springboks’ hotel in Paris on Friday.
“I’ve been there with them since 2016; I’ve been there through tough times when people said Damian de Allende is not good enough to play for this team.
“When Lukhanyo [Am] was one of the best No. 13s, people were talking about Jesse [Kriel] not being good enough to play for the Springboks.
“And for them to play their 50th Test as a centre partnership on Saturday, and turn things around, having won two World Cups, [each] is already amazing.
“I’m really happy for where they are and very proud of what they have achieved through everything they have been through.”
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Stick added how he relates to the duo after experiencing similar criticism during his early tenure as Bok assistant coach.
“I know sometimes it’s tough, it’s not nice to open your phone and you see all these people criticising you during your tough times.
“I’ve been there, I’ve seen it, so I’m very proud of their milestone, and once again, people think it came easy; it wasn’t easy.
“When Lukhanyo was playing at the peak of his game, week in and week out, Jesse kept on working hard. That’s the message we try to get across to the youngsters in our system.
“Sometimes you get tested as a warrior not only when you’re in the matchday squad; when things don’t go well, and you’re not in the matchday 23, you must still pitch up and contribute to the team.
“Jesse is one of the true reflections when it comes to that statement. I’m very proud of what they’ve achieved, and congratulations to them,” Stick concluded.
Watch the full video below…
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