De Allende at front of queue
WORLD CUP: CENTRE LIKELY TO HAVE AN AIR TICKET Stormers star a certainty to add to his three Bok caps.
Stellar performances this year in Super Rugby has made centre Damian de Allende an almost shoo-in for World Cup selection in England this year.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer holds his next three-day camp in Johannesburg from next Monday before announcing his squad for the Rugby Championship next weekend.
A specialist No 12, De Allende was a shining light in a poor Stormers performance last weekend and he will provide quality in the Bok midfield along with captain Jean de Villiers – if fit – Jan Serfontein, JP Pietersen and Frans Steyn.
Stats from Vodacom Rugby App from last weekend showed that De Allende topped the category for defenders beaten with 12, twice as much as the six by the Highlanders’ new All Black wing Waisake Naholo.
Also in the category of the player who had made the most carries, De Allende topped the list with 17, equal to the Chiefs No 8 Michael Leitch, followed by Stormers wing Dillyn Leyds (14), Chiefs pivot Damian McKenzie (13) and Stormers flank Siya Kolisi (12).
In the category of clean breaks, De Allende, Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg and Naholo also made the biggest waves, each being credited with four.
When it comes to metres run, De Allende (118) was only beaten by his team-mate, Stormers fullback Cheslin Kolbe (125), courtesy of his intercept try, followed by Naholo (110) and McKenzie (90).
De Allende, 23, played three Tests last year, but was used in the No 13 position, which is not his preferred slot, and had just returned from a knee injury.
The victorious ’95 Springbok World Cup squad will hold a 20-year reunion today at Ellis Park, with their memorable 15-12 win over the All Blacks recorded on June 24, 1995.
The late coach Kitch Christie and flank Ruben Kruger will be honoured.