South Africa centre Damian de Allende to leave Munster at end of season

by Frank Nickson Wednesday 30 March 2022

Thomond Park

©PA

South Africa centre Damian de Allende has confirmed that he will be leaving Munster at the end of the ongoing 2021/22 season.

Born in Cape Town, the 30-year-old started his career with Western Province and Stormers and after a seven-year stint, made a switch to Japanese club in 2015. He also featured for Saitama Wild Knights before heading to Thomond Park in 2020.

He also had represented the Springboks in over 50 Tests and was part of the victorious 2019 World Cup campaign.

De Allende revealed that ruled out the possibility of staying in Europe following the ongoing season.

“I’m not staying, but it hasn’t been confirmed where I’m going. I’m not staying in Europe, so I’m definitely not going to Bath, I haven’t spoken to anyone at Bath,” De Allende told reporters.

“I will not be staying in Europe as of the end of the season, which is unfortunate, but I’m looking forward to ending the season on a high, but I really want to leave Munster with great memories I’ve made already, but some silverware as well.”

Munster are at third place in the United Rugby Championship table with nine wins from 14 matches and they will be lining against table toppers Leinster next.

“It’s quite tough, it’s quite challenging because it almost feels like a Test match," he said about the clash against Leinster.

"They have quite a few internationals and experience in the team. What they bring to the match, the intensity is higher, the physicality is similar as well, but it’s one game as a player you want to challenge yourself against,” he said.

“They are one of the best teams in Europe in the past few years. Like I say all the time, you want to test yourself against the best players and the majority of the team are some of the best players in Ireland, that’s why they represent Ireland, and did quite well in the Six Nations.

“A lot of the guys are looking forward to the challenge, and we’re excited to have the fans back at Thomond Park, and it’ll be an incredible atmosphere on Saturday.”