Damian de Allende’s rugby is built on power, but Rassie Erasmus believes it is his understanding of the game that has made the Springboks' centre one of the most valuable players of his generation.
De Allende will become the 10th Springbok to reach 100 Test caps when he runs out against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday, an achievement that has earned him lavish praise from coach Rassie Erasmus and fullback Damian Willemse.
Erasmus first encountered De Allende when he was Stormers director of rugby and the young centre was making his mark in Super Rugby.
“I can tell you from a coaching perspective, when I saw him the first time, I didn’t know him that well,” Erasmus said. “But when he started playing Super Rugby against guys like Sonny Bill Williams – and I’m a big Sonny Bill fan – Damian showed me his class.
“He was one of the few guys that really could handle Sonny Bill Williams. I’m talking attack, defence and offloads. And he’s a very physical guy.”
