Springbok centre Damian de Allende has been released by the national team and will be available to play for DHL Western Province in their Currie Cup clash with the Boland Cavaliers at DHL Newlands on Friday.

Springbok centre Damian de Allende has been released by the national team and will be available to play for DHL Western Province in their Currie Cup clash with the Boland Cavaliers at DHL Newlands on Friday.

The midfielder was one of a trio of players released to their unions from the national squad, along with Xerox Golden Lions hooker Malcolm Marx and Cell C Sharks wing Lwazi Mvovo.

The three players will join their provincial training teams on Tuesday morning after it was decided to release them earlier than normal, because of the short training week for their Currie Cup teams.

DHL Western Province coach John Dobson said that it is a major boost to be able to call on a player of De Allende’s quality.

“Damian is a world class centre, who brings considerable ability and experience to our backline.

“This game against Boland is a crucial one in terms of our campaign, so to have a player of his class in the mix makes a big difference for us,” he said.