Pieter-Steph du Toit pays tribute to 'beast' Damian de Allende ahead of 100th Springboks cap
Springbok skipper Pieter-Steph du Toit reflected on Damian de Allende's century of caps and the deep personal meaning of facing the Haka.
Springbok captain Pieter-Steph du Toit has paid tribute to Damian de Allende as he prepares to don the 100th cap for South Africa. The occasion will see De Allende join Du Toit, who will mark his 99th Test appearance, as the 10th Springbok to reach such a milestone when the teams face off against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
"To see Damian playing 100 Test matches for the Springboks is an unbelievable honour," Du Toit remarked. "I've always admired his presence on the field and off it." Du Toit also lauded Paul de Villiers' impact, crediting his energy, speed, strength, and communication skills as vital assets to the team. Du Toit further highlighted the significance of the Haka, stating that the players' anticipation for the pre-match challenge has only grown after being briefed on its meaning and importance by New Zealand-born assistant coach Tony Brown.
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