- Damian de Allende says the memory of South Africa’s struggles under Allister Coetzee keeps the Boks hungry for success.
- The Springboks beat France 32-17 in Paris, with Siya Kolisi playing his 100th Test and the team chasing top world ranking.
Springbok centre Damian de Allende says the team’s painful memories under former coach Allister Coetzee still drive their hunger for success.
Speaking before South Africa’s 32-17 win over France in Paris on Saturday night, De Allende said they never want to see the Boks sink that low again.
“It was tough losing to New Zealand by 50 points and then losing games we probably shouldn’t have. We don’t want to see South African rugby in that space again,” he said.
The win was the Boks’ 10th of the season. They’ve lost only twice – including their first home defeat to Australia since 1963 at Ellis Park.
Captain Siya Kolisi celebrated his 100th Test in the match, joining an elite group of Springbok centurions. De Allende is just five games away from the same milestone.
The Boks made history this year by winning back-to-back Rugby Championships for the first time in 2024 and 2025. But De Allende says success hasn’t made them relax.
“If we don’t keep working hard, all we’ve achieved can be blown away. We train under pressure and push each other,” he said.
The veteran centre, a two-time World Cup winner, says he still feels strong and isn’t thinking about retirement. “I take it game by game and week by week. If I didn’t enjoy myself, I wouldn’t give everything.”
With the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, De Allende says the focus is staying sharp – and Kolisi agrees every match this year is a must-win.
Pictured above: The Springboks against France.
Image source: @Springboks
