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'Just back me': The big call Damian De Allende's dad had to make
By Ned Lester
The in-form Damian De Allende has reflected on his journey to Springbok stardom and pinpointed one defining moment that steered his path to where he is today.
Named at No 12 in World Rugby's Dream Team of the Year 2022, De Allende's consistency and class were rare constants in the injury-prone Springbok backline.
In 2022-23 The South African lines up for the Saitama Wild Knights, but it was the story of his decision to switch clubs in 2012 that De Allende decided to tell in a sit down with the Springboks' official YouTube channel.
"Playing the Varsity Cup in 2012 was a life-changing moment in my rugby career," De Allende said.
"After high school, I went to rugby academy, I fell under Hamiltons under 20, which was really awesome but then UCT approached me and asked me if I wanted to play Varsity Cup.
"There was a bit of back and forth with Hamiltons because they obviously wanted me to stay at the club, and I would have earned quite a bit of money in match fees and stuff at Hamiltons which would have been nice. But, I felt at that moment in time it would benefit my career a lot more to play Varsity Cup that year.
"My dad had to pay a fee so I could get out of the contract at Hamiltons and I was obviously quite nervous, growing up we didn't have a lot of money or anything like that and my parents really did struggle.
"(Something) that I'll never forget was my dad said that I should maybe just stay at Hamiltons for that next season and then play Varsity Cup afterwards, and I told him 'just back me, the opportunity will be a lot more successful than the money at the moment.'"
The midfielder's father ultimately backed his son, funding what De Allende now describes as a "life-changing" moment in his career and his chosen story for the series "how rugby changed my life".
De Allende's confidence was clearly well-founded as he continued his rapid ascension through the ranks of professional rugby, stepping into the Stormers the following year and the Springboks the year after.
"I managed to get out of that deal from playing Hamiltons and I can proudly say that playing Varsity Cup that year, it was a stepping stone to playing Vodacom Cup that same year and then I obviously made my Currie Cup debut for Western Province as well that year and we won the Currie Cup in Durban."
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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