Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel will break the Springbok midfield partnership record held by Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie when they run out for their 30th Test together on Saturday.
De Allende and Kriel will set a new record for most Tests together in South Africa’s midfield after both being named to start in the series decider against Ireland in Durban.
The clash at Kings Park will mark De Allende and Kriel’s 30th Test as a partnership, nine years after their first match together against the Wallabies in Brisbane in the 2015 Rugby Championship.
While De Allende’s power to get the Springboks over the gainline has become something applauded by fans, his passing game came to the fore in the Test series opener against Ireland in Pretoria.
Meanwhile Kriel was named man of the match for his performance at Loftus Versfeld, as he continued his sensational run of form at No 13 from the 2023 World Cup.
The 29-Test record was set by De Villiers and Fourie when the latter played his final game for the Springboks against France in Paris in November 2013.
De Villiers and Fourie played their first Test together when the Springboks claimed a 33-20 victory over the Wallabies at Ellis Park in 2005. Their partnership became further entrenched when Fourie moved from the Lions to the Stormers in 2010, joining De Villiers in Cape Town.
During their time together, De Villiers provided the out-and-out speed and attacking finesse, while Fourie was the diesel-engined power and defensive mastermind.
While they only started three World Cup games together, owing to De Villiers’ tournament-ending injury in 2007 and the quarter-final exit in 2011, they were a key part of the Springboks’ golden era between 2007 and 2009.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Doogz and Jesse: Midfield maestros appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
