Damian de Allende expecting a ‘war’ with Ireland after media ‘disrespected’ the Springboks
Damian de Allende in action for Springboks against Ireland at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Springboks centre Damian de Allende insists that their massive series with Ireland is about “getting respect back”, despite coming off the back of a Rugby World Cup victory.
South Africa are the double defending world champions after claiming the title in both 2019 and 2023, triumphs which will see them go down as one of the game’s greatest sides.
They beat every top tier nation over that four-year stretch, except one. In fact, the Boks have not tasted success against Ireland since 2016, when Allister Coetzee’s men won 2-1 in a three-Test series.
Impressive Irish record
Since then, the Irish have emerged victorious on three consecutive occasions, overcoming their opponents 38-3 in 2017 before edging Rassie Erasmus’ side 19-16 in 2022.
Their most recent clash came at the 2023 World Cup as Ireland handed the Springboks their only defeat of the global tournament in a titanic encounter.
Although the tournament success in Japan and France trumped any loss they may have suffered in the intervening years, there is still a sense of unfinished business for Erasmus’ team.
“The Test match in Dublin in 2022 was a tough loss, so there have been a few tough games against them,” De Allende told RugbyPass TV.
“We lost to them in 2017 when they beat us 38-3. The way the media spoke, they completely disrespected us.
“For us as a group and for us as Springboks, it is about getting respect back, not their respect, but our own respect. We don’t need to but we really want to beat Ireland. It is going to be an incredible Test match.”
The Springboks’ first match since retaining the Webb Ellis Cup comes against Wales at Twickenham later this month before they take on Andy Farrell’s men in a home two-Test series.
It will be a particularly special occasion for the South African players, as well as their fans, who will get the chance to celebrate their World Cup success together.
“I’m looking forward to it the most because it is the first Test match for us together as a group after we have won the World Cup in front of our own crowd,” he said.
“We never got that luxury after winning the 2019 World Cup because of covid and everything like that.”
‘Incredible battle’
The upcoming series sees the top two teams in the world battle it out with the winner likely topping the rankings at the end of July.
“That first game against Ireland at Loftus, whether I play or not, it is just going to feel almost like a war,” De Allende said.
“A lot of people give them credit for being number one in the world because they play such good footy but that’s going to be a flippin’ incredible battle.
“With Ireland, the biggest threat is the breakdown, they are so good at the breakdown. No matter if they are getting dominated in contact, they still manage to get the ball out quick enough.”
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