Cape Town – Having just scooped the award for the best player in his domestic team, Springbok centre Damian de Allende was also named 'Man-of-the-Match' after his team's 64-0 victory over the United States in South Africa's final rugby RWC Pool B match in London on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, De Allende was named both backline 'Player-of-the-Year' and 'Player's Player-of-the-Year' for his contribution at both Super Rugby and Currie Cup level for the Western Province Rugby Football Union and he followed up a day later with an inspired performance against the US Eagles.
The star player in the Springbok squad was the first to admit that it would take some time for his team to live down the shocking defeat they suffered at the hands of Japan in their opening fixture, but said the loss was the spark which lit the fire in their ranks. “There has been a lot of pressure from our supporters back at home and we could feel that here [in England],” said De Allende.
“It has been very tough after the Japan loss but I think we have used it to our advantage and the boys have come back well.”
The midfielder was also confident that the upward curve his team had shown during the competition would continue. “I think we are still trying to improve every game and I think we are heading in the right direction.”
Springbok captain Fourie du Preez was frank with his post-match response admitting that the US put them under pressure during the far less impressive first 40 minutes of the match.
“The first half was very loose, but the second half saw an unbelievable performance from the guys,” said Du Preez. Du Preez echoed De Allende's sentiments regarding the effects the team's shock defeat to Japan had on their title ambitions.
“After that first game we were in knock-out mode already and we knew we could not slip up anymore. I think it bodes well for us. All we will focus on now is the quarter-final after we have rested for the next few days.
The Springboks will face either Wales or Australia in their quarter-final match which takes place in 10 days and on that topic the skipper would not be drawn into selecting a preferred opponent - even though it was Australia that ended the team's World Cup dream at the previous World Cup. - ANA