Springbok midfielder Damian de Allende is relishing the challenge of taking on Argentina this weekend and further cementing his spot as the leading contender for the 12 jersey for the Rugby World Cup.
While there has been some debate about the midfield selection ahead of Argentina, it was coach Jacques Nienaber who made it rather clear that the Boks are spreading the load and that while some have criticised the selection of Jessie Kriel at 13, this test was the first they could have selected him after he was banned for a red card while in Japan.
“The thing about Jessie is that unfortunately in Japan he got suspended so he wasn’t up for selection for the first couple of games,” Nienaber said earlier in the week.
“So we had to wait for his suspension to be lifted before we could consider him for selection.
“Between Andre (Esterhuizen) and Damian, it is just managing the game time. Andre has had a go with Manie before and Damian will have a go with Manie now.
“So it is just about getting different combinations and trying to spread the game load among the squad.”
And while some may have hoped for Esterhuizen to get another shot, that quote reveals the Boks are looking at him as a specialist 12 and not a 13 option.
Still, De Allende and Kriel have played several times together and the competition in the squad is extremely good, so much so that De Allende said he was “very lucky”.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge - i’ve played with Jessie, with Lukie (Lukhanyo), or if I have to play 13 with Andre (Esterhuizen). The way we put each other under pressure in training, the way we teach each other, the way we learn from each other. I think it goes a long way - and I’m happy for Jesse who wasn’t up for selection for Australia after his red card.
“But he has been doing very well in training - like Lukhanyo and Andre. He is raring to go, and I’m also raring to go and we’re all looking forward to the challenge on Saturday.”
De Allende would be the first to admit he was a bit rusty against the All Blacks after missing close to six weeks without a game, and that the only way to play is to play consistently.
“You can train for a year and not play rugby - the only way you can get match fit is by playing consistently,” he explained.
“It’s just about trying to find that balance and getting everyone enough minutes so that when we start at the World Cup we can fire, not just as individuals, but as a whole squad.”
And come this weekend, Doogz will link up with the two fast halfbacks in a combination that he believes is “exciting” and a backline that he hopes will run the leather off the park.
After all, with just two games left to the World Cup announcement, De Allende knows he has to step up and there is no better time than Saturday.
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