Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Springbok Damian de Allende and All Black Lima Sopoaga remain "mates" after an ugly incident during Saturday's epic Rugby Championship clash in Cape Town.
As it happened: Springboks v All Blacks
De Allende, who came on as a replacement in the second half, was shown a straight red card for a late hit on Sopoaga.
After attempting an unsuccessful drop goal in the 75th minute, Sopoaga was hit by De Allende, who led with his elbow, sending the unsuspecting Sopoaga sprawling to the turf.
French referee Jerome Garces, after consulting his TMO, England’s Rowan Kitt, gave De Allende his marching orders.
Garces, no stranger to dishing out red cards, famously sent off All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams during the recent British & Irish Lions series.
Sopoaga picked himself off the lush Newlands grass to land the resultant penalty which helped the All Blacks to a narrow 25-24 victory.
De Allende took to Twitter post-match to apologise to his opponent, writing: Apologies bro. Was never my intention. all the best for the remainder of the year. #stillmates
Sopoaga to his credit held no grudges, replying: Don't sweat it bro. I know there was no malice in it. That's just footy. Lekker game my bro. #whathappensonthefieldstaysonthefield
Apologies bro. Was never my intention. all the best for the remainder of the year. #stillmates pic.twitter.com/noU3f3blGj
— Damian de allende (@Doogz) October 7, 2017
Don't sweat it bro. I know there was no malice in it. That's just footy. Lekker game my bro. #whathappensonthefieldstaysonthefield ???? https://t.co/A06HMR2YvF
— Lima Sopoaga (@LimaSopoaga) October 7, 2017
