The former Stormers man played the full 80 minutes, making seven tackles and running for over 40 metres in six carries, while also providing an offload in a solid all-round performance.
He showed good energy all game and was rewarded for his perseverance in the 72nd minute when the Canon Eagles' rush defence was opened up by a quick pass from Juan Wilson, allowing De Allende to burst through the line for a try.
Kriel acted as the Canon Eagle's playmaker from midfield, making over 10 passes and also running at the gain line with intent.
He made 50 metres with ball-in-hand from a staggering 11 carries but it wasn't enough to help his side overcome a rampant Wild Knights outfit.
Franco Mostert captained the Honda Heat in a 30-15 defeat to Cheslin Kolbe's Suntory Sungoliath.
The Springbok forward put in a titanic shift on defence playing as a flank for the Heat, finishing the game with an energy-sapping 24 tackles. He didn't get many opportunities to run with the ball but when he did he always managed to get over the gainline.
For the Sungoliath, Kolbe was at his elusive running best. He made over 100 metres from 10 carries with two clean line breaks and a try assist.
He caused problems for the Heat defence every time the Sungoliath got the ball out to his wing.
Kwagga Smith led the Blue Revs to a 47-36 win over the Dynaboars in Shizuoka.
Captaining the side, Smith made 13 ferocious tackles in his 57 minutes on the park, as well as gaining 22 metres in five carries.
Jasper Wiese came off the bench in the second half and made a huge impact for the D-Rocks but could not prevent them falling to a 27-38 defeat at the hands of the Brave Lupus.
In his 31 minutes on the pitch, Wiese made seven tackles and ran for over 30 metres in seven carries, with his side looking much better after he had been introduced.
Malcolm Marx was one of nine South Africans to play in the Kubota Spears 39-10 win over Toyota Verblitz.
The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year came on in the 61st minute and shored up the Spears' lineout, while also hitting the gainline with aggression and competing at ruck time.
Thomas du Toit started for Bath and dominated at scrum time to help them to a comfortable 63-10 win over Edinburgh in the Champions Cup.
The big prop made his opposite number, James Whitcombe look average at the set piece, while also chipping in in other areas of the pitch.
He made three tackles, gained 26 metres from five carries at the gain line and crossed the whitewash for a try.
Herschel Jantjies put in a shining display as Bayonne's pivot in their 13=22 loss to Leinster.
The scrumhalf was quick to the breakdown all game and was at the centre of everything good they did going forward. He made an incredible 41 passes in the game, while also contributing seven tackles on defence.
RG Snyman started as the No 5 lock for the Irish side and was a solid lineout option while also pulling his weight in the tight areas.
Jean Kleyn defended like a trojan for Munster in their 29-31 loss to Castres at Thomond Park.
The Springbok lock made 13 tackles and missed only one in a losing cause.
Jean-Luc Du Preez played an important role in Bordeaux's 27-15 win over the Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.
The big lock did not lose a single lineout thrown his way while also making 11 tackles on a big shift in defence.
The Springboks launched their 2026 programme on Tuesday with a three-day alignment camp in Cape Town, giving 49 players - including 11 newcomers - a first look at the season's expectations, team standards, and individual performance goals.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus called World Rugby’s recent Shape of the Game summit 'invaluable' and confirmed rugby’s core rules will stay unchanged ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Rassie Erasmus says the Springboks will continue building squad depth in 2026 with the 2027 World Cup firmly in mind.
Rian Oberholzer revealed that while everyone seems to agree that a global rugby season is necessary, finding a solution that will suit all parties is not so simple.
