Damian de Allende says he wants to end his professional career in Cape Town where it all began, and he hopes to run out for the Stormers again after his contract in Japan ends in 2027.
The 33-year-old centre, affectionately known as “Doogz”, is back in South Africa preparing for the Springboks’ season-opener against the Barbarians. While he’s enjoying his time in Japan, De Allende admitted his heart remains in Cape Town.
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“Every time coming back to South Africa and then especially going back to Cape Town, I always get a little excited feeling in my body like I’m a little kid going home again,” he said in a Bok press conference. “I would only want to finish in Cape Town.”
With two more seasons to play at Saitama Wild Knights, De Allende isn’t rushing decisions but his intention is clear. “Ideally I’d love to finish in South Africa… play a season or two in Cape Town for the Stormers and Western Province,” said the 87-Test midfielder.
De Allende is enjoying his rugby more now than ever before, adding: “It feels like the older I get, the more I’m enjoying myself. The less pressure there is on me, and the less pressure I’m putting on myself.”
He welcomed the influence of Springbok attack coach Tony Brown, who joined the management team last year. “It was massively important to get someone like Tony Brown in to test our skills and to teach us new skills. To teach us how to move the ball before contact and when to move the ball.”
De Allende said changes in the laws and refereeing have accelerated the need for tactical adaptation.
“I think they’re trying to make the game a bit more dynamic. Even if we get dominance at scrum time, we might not get the penalty. So we must just be ready to be able to play rugby like Tony Brown wants us to play,” he said. “We’re on the right path. For a lot of us old guys, we’ve learned a lot over the past year through Tony.”
Looking further ahead, De Allende said mentoring younger centres like Ethan Hooker is part of his role now: “He’s got a great future… we’ll do the best we can to make sure we can give him as much knowledge as possible, so when he does get the opportunity, he can just go out there and express himself.”
Known for his direct style, De Allende also addressed perceptions about his game: “I understand the basics of rugby – if you do the basics well, you can put your team in good spaces,” he said. “But I’ve learned that moving the ball can open up more space, not just for yourself, but for the guys around you as well.”
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