Damian de Allende: South Africa vs Ireland ‘will be almost like a war’

South Africa’s former Munster centre Damian de Allende says the first Test in the two-match series between the Springboks and Ireland in Pretoria on 6 July will be “almost like a war”.

Ireland went into last year’s World Cup ranked as the globe’s top international team but while they beat the Springboks in the group stage, South Africa regrouped to retain the title and the number one spot.

The Irish have won the last three meetings between the sides and De Allende insists, nearly seven years on, he is still smarting from the 38-3 Dublin hammering dished out to the Springboks in November 2017.

South Africa will be back in action for the first time since winning the World Cup when they face Ireland at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld and 78-cap De Allende says he can’t wait for the game.

“It is the first Test match for us together as a group after we have won the World Cup in front of our own crowd,” the 32-year-old told RugbyPass TV.

“We never got that luxury after winning the 2019 World Cup because of Covid and everything like that.

“That first game against Ireland at Loftus, whether I play or not, it is just going to feel almost like a war.”