Damian De Allende says lucky to play again after fire pit explosion
World Cup winner De Allende sustained burns to his legs, hands and face
21 July 2021 - 14:18
byManasi Pathak
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Damian de Allende during the SA training session at Cape Town Stadium on July 20 2021. Picture: GALLO IMAGES/GRANT PITCHER
Springbok centre Damian de Allende said he went into "a bit of a shock" after he was burned in a fire pit accident in June and is lucky to play again following his selection for Saturday's opening Test against the British & Irish Lions.
De Allende and Springbok lock RG Snyman were with Munster teammates Mike Haley and CJ Stander when petrol was poured onto the fire, causing an explosion.
World Cup winner De Allende sustained burns to his legs, hands and face but the 29-year-old has recovered and will start in the first of three-Test series against the Lions in Cape Town.
"I am just grateful it didn't end up being any worse," De Allende said. "Obviously thinking of a guy like RG, I think he got the worst of it… I got lucky and I am just glad it wasn’t worse. I am just glad I got to play rugby again.
"After it happened I did go into a bit of shock and I was in hospital on morphine and it was tough. When it wore off the pain started to kick in, it really struck me how bad it was and how much worse it could have been and how lucky I had been."
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Damian De Allende says lucky to play again after fire pit explosion
World Cup winner De Allende sustained burns to his legs, hands and face
Springbok centre Damian de Allende said he went into "a bit of a shock" after he was burned in a fire pit accident in June and is lucky to play again following his selection for Saturday's opening Test against the British & Irish Lions.
De Allende and Springbok lock RG Snyman were with Munster teammates Mike Haley and CJ Stander when petrol was poured onto the fire, causing an explosion.
World Cup winner De Allende sustained burns to his legs, hands and face but the 29-year-old has recovered and will start in the first of three-Test series against the Lions in Cape Town.
"I am just grateful it didn't end up being any worse," De Allende said. "Obviously thinking of a guy like RG, I think he got the worst of it… I got lucky and I am just glad it wasn’t worse. I am just glad I got to play rugby again.
"After it happened I did go into a bit of shock and I was in hospital on morphine and it was tough. When it wore off the pain started to kick in, it really struck me how bad it was and how much worse it could have been and how lucky I had been."
Reuters
Prop Furlong itching to face bruising Boks in first Test
All Boks-Lions Tests to be played in Cape Town
Springboks ready for Lions Test series, says star flyhalf
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.