A product of the lesser-known Milnerton High School in the Western Cape. Although de Allende didn't take the classic route to the Springbok jersey as many of the players before him, he has been just as destructive and impactful as the men who wore the #12 jersey before him.
Having only picking the game up in his teenage years, de Allende represented Western Province at U19 and U21 level before hitting the Varisty Cup scene with the University of Cape Town. de Allende started his professional career playing in the centres and on the wing but has since cemented his place in the midfield.
A strong ball carrier that more often than not gets over the gain line, the South African is an excellent defender with his promise being was recognised early as he was rewarded with his senior provincial debut for Western Province in the Vodacom Cup, a Currie Cup debut and started the victorious final, all in the same year.
A Super Rugby debut came for de Allende in 2013 at the age of 22 with a test debut coming a year later during the 2014 Rugby Championship against Argentina. By 2015, de Allende become a regular in the Springbok squad and put in some superb performances in the 2015 Rugby Championship against Australia and New Zealand. This led to him being included in the Springboks Rugby World Cup squad where he featured regularly in the side's run into the semi-finals.
The centre has become a regular in the squad and played a leading role in South Africa’s 2019 World Cup-winning campaign starting six of his seven appearances. De Allende played a crucial role in the run to the final scoring two tries in the knock-out stages against Japan and Wales with the latter proving to be a match-winner. His attacking form was equally matched by a physical defensive display as he made his presence felt at every stage with a huge work rate from midfield.
Following the World Cup, he had a stint with Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan before signing a two-year deal with Munster. `
As of June 2020, de Allende has 47 test caps and has scored 6 test tries and has played over 90 Super Rugby games for the Stormers.
June 2021 saw him being named in South Africa's 46-man squad for the British and Irish Lions Tour. He turned out for the South Africa A team who managed a 17-13 victory over Warren Gatland's charges.
In his two seasons with Munster, de Allende scored five tries in 37 appearances, at the end of the 2021/22 season he left Munster and signed with then Japan Rugby League One Champions The Panasonic Wild Knights.
He heads into the 2022 test season for the Springboks with 58 test caps and seven tries.
De Allende played a further 11 games in the 2022 test seasons coring 2 tries for his country.
In his 2022/2023 international season, Damian has played 5 matches so far for the Springboks.
Ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023, de Allende has been named in the South African training squad.
SC 22/07/2023
Career
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South Africa Inside Centre |
2014 - present |
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Milnerton High School Right Wing |
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Saitama Wild Knights Inside Centre |
2020 - present |
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Barbarians Left Wing |
2018 - 2018 |
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Western Province Inside Centre |
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Stormers Inside Centre |
2013 - 2019 |
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Munster Rugby Inside Centre |
2020 - 2022 |
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Hamilton SP RFC Inside Centre |
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UCT Ikeys Inside Centre |
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South Africa A Inside Centre |
2021 - 2024 |
