{
  "id": 19629663,
  "title": "De Allende, Kriel the best Bok centre pairing, says French Test hopeful Ward",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/de-allende-kriel-the-best-bok-centre-pairing-says-french-test-hopeful",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-12T08:51:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/de-allende-kriel-best-bok-centre-pairing-ward/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Junior Springboks captain Jeremy Ward, currently playing rugby in France and aiming to earn a spot in the French Test team, has named South Africa's Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel as the best ever centre pairing to don the Springbok jersey. Ward, who captained the SA U20s in 2016, had the opportunity to face both De Allende and Kriel during his time with the Springboks. Despite the dominance of the two centres and their predecessor Lukhanyo Am, Ward asserts that De Allende and Kriel are \"as good as they come\" in terms of longevity, consistency, and sustained high performance. Ward, who joined Stade Francais in France in 2022, admitted that he has no expectations of earning a call-up from French coach Fabien Galthie in October when he qualifies. He acknowledged the fierce competition in the French midfield, with a plethora of quality players available. Speaking ahead of the Nations Championship Test between the Springboks and France in Paris, Ward expressed full confidence in the French team's ability to produce an entertaining game if they deliver their best on the Stade de France stadium turf.",
  "summary": "The former Sharks man is hoping to crack the nod with the French Test team towards the end of 2027.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}