Damian de Allende, who is on the cover of the new SA Rugby magazine, wants to take his game to the next level.
Having not been selected for the Springboks' opening World Cup match against Japan, De Allende made a statement against Samoa at Villa Park as the Boks bounced back to win 46-6.
‘That was special,’ De Allende says. ‘Everybody pitched up. Everybody was focused on the same thing.'
The midfielder goes on to explain why his World Cup debut was such a big step up, the improvements in his game since the Rugby Championship, and why he's still a 'work in progress'.
He also talks about the loss of Jean de Villiers to a tournament-ending injury, the World Cup vibe in England, his pre-match preparation, and the young Bok talent who will be around for years to come.
Also in the new issue:
– A return to a more traditional approach enabled the Springboks to bounce back from a shock loss to Japan and qualify for the World Cup play-offs
– Jean de Villiers will go down as a Springbok great
– Former Lions captain Josh Strauss made his Test debut for Scotland at the World Cup
– Hookers are getting bigger and stronger, but the All Blacks have produced an exception to the rule in Dane Coles, who may just be the best of them all
– Eddie Jones claimed the greatest win of his coaching career when Japan shocked the Springboks
– In the eighth instalment of a series on Springbok coaches, SA Rugby magazine reflects on Rudolf Straeuli’s stint, which started promisingly but ended in ignominy
– Jamba Ulengo has been a try-scoring machine for the Blue Bulls in this year’s Currie Cup
– Seabelo Senatla has excelled on the wing for Western Province in this year’s Currie Cup, but sevens and next year’s Olympic Games remain his priority
– Ruan Combrinck was feeling unwanted at Western Province when the Lions threw him a lifeline
– Wandile Mjekevu returned to the Sharks a different player after a two-year stint with Perpignan
– Blitzboks coach Neil Powell wants his team to peak at the right time this season
– SA Rugby magazine selects a team made up of South Africans who excelled for their clubs in September
– Former Bulls lock Paul Willemse is making his presence felt for Montpellier
SA RUGBY MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION RATE
– Available monthly to Foschini Group account holders for R26.99 (incl VAT) per issue
– Non-Foschini Group account holders (12 issues): R359 (incl VAT), Neighbouring states: R620; International: R820
SA RUGBY MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES
– Foschini Group account holders: Phone 0860-117-529, email [email protected], or SMS ‘SARUGBY’ and your account number to 44001
– Non-Foschini Group account holders: Phone (021) 416-0141, fax 086-567-1350, or email: [email protected]
