Africa-Press – South-Africa. In London
Springbok centre Damian de Allende gave a rare and telling insight on why their playing and coaching group has ticked on well despite the storms that have surrounded them on their European tour.
The Boks have one more game against England at Twickenham on Saturday to complete a tour that’s seen serious on-field development from a tactical perspective.
There has also been the recent social media storm involving SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus, that’s seen him banned by World Rugby for two games, including Saturday’s Test.
READ | Libbok going from ‘strength to strength’ as Boks keep faith in Willemse
The players have taken the playing style criticism in their stride, along with the international fallout from the Erasmus ban that’s again polarised opinions in the global game.
De Allende said equal respect across the team’s divide has significantly contributed to a healthy working environment.
“We’ve got good cohesion inside the squad, and everyone respects each other,” De Allende said.
“There’s no hierarchy, which is nice, but there’s a level of respect for the guys who have been around for a long time.
“Even the guy who comes in for a first cap gets the same amount of respect as a senior. I wouldn’t say we’re not comfortable coming to training every day and working as hard as we did the week before and the day before.
“There is a level of respect because we’ve been together for quite a while and that helps a lot because there are experienced heads.
“We get to understand a lot about each other and we’re happy to build on that.”
De Allende, along with injured midfield partner Lukhanyo Am and hooker Malcolm Marx was selected for the World team of the year.
Their selection in the team wasn’t disputed, but Eben Etzebeth’s absence from this team was again a point of debate.
De Allende was pleased to be part of the select team, but said it would have been better if they had more wins than the seven they’ve racked up this year.
READ | Bok coach Nienaber unpacks life without banned Rassie: ‘We did that for a year’
“It would have been a lot sweeter if we’d have won a couple more games this year. It would have been a lot better for us,” De Allende said.
“It wouldn’t have been possible for Malcolm and me without the help of the other players in the team. We wouldn’t be in the position that we are.
“The awards are great, but we want to get things right as a team and be more consistent than what we’ve been on the tour.”
England coach Eddie Jones will announce his match-day 23 on Thursday and kick-off on Saturday is at 19:30 (SA time).
For More News And Analysis About South-Africa Follow Africa-Press
