Jeremy Ward has put Damian De Allende and Jesse Kriel in a class of their own, saying the South African centre pairing is probably the best to have worn the Springbok jersey.
The 30-year-old Stade Francais midfielder made the comment as France prepare to face South Africa at the Stade de France on Friday. Ward, who was born in South Africa and moved to Stade Francais from the Durban-based Sharks in 2022, is in Fabien Galthie’s training squad this month as France continue their preparations for the Nations Championship.
Ward’s viewpoint carries added weight because he knows the South African game well and is now part of the French set-up. He said he had “a little taste of it” after joining the squad and that the week gave him “a little appetite for more” as he learned how France work and how they want to move forward.
His place in the wider picture is still uncertain. Ward is eligible to play for France on residency grounds next October, but France already have several established midfield options. On Saturday, Yoram Moefana and Kalvin Gourgues started in France’s rout of Fiji, with Emilien Gailleton on the bench and Gael Fickou added to the wider set-up, which shows how crowded the competition is.
Why Ward’s praise matters
Ward’s assessment is notable because he is not just speaking from the outside. He has not been selected by South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus despite his form for Stade Francais, and he is now being discussed in France not only as a useful squad member but also as a possible future international option.
That makes his comments on De Allende and Kriel especially relevant. Ward said that, as a pair, their longevity and consistency make them “probably the best centre pair that have worn the Springbok jersey.” It is a strong endorsement of two players who have been central to South Africa’s midfield for years.
For France, the discussion is also a reminder of how much quality is competing for midfield places. Ward said there is “just a whole bunch of quality there,” adding that many of the players are operating at the highest level week in, week out. In other words, his own path to a future World Cup role will depend not just on residency rules, but on forcing his way into a very deep pool of options.
France host South Africa on Friday, and Ward’s comments add another layer to a fixture that already carries plenty of context. He may be waiting until next October for full eligibility, but for now he has made one thing clear: when it comes to De Allende and Kriel, he holds them in the highest regard.
