Jacques du Plessis

Not to be confused with Jacques du Plessis, the youngest brother of Springboks Willie, Carel and Michael du Plessis..

Willem Hendrik Jacques "Sheep" du Plessis (born 12 August 1993) is a South African rugby union player. He plays for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship and for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup.^[1] His regular playing positions are flanker or lock.

Jacques du Plessis

Full name	Willem Hendrik Jacques du Plessis
Date of birth	(1993-08-12) 12 August 1993 (age 32)
Place of birth	Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal, Republic of South Africa
Height	2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
Weight	119 kg (18 st 10 lb; 262 lb)
School	Ermelo High School, Ermelo
University	University of Pretoria
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock / Flanker Current team Bulls / Blue Bulls Youth career 2006 Sharks 2009–2011 Pumas 2012–2013 Blue Bulls Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2013 UP Tuks 3 (0) Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2013–2015 Blue Bulls 32 (25) 2013–2015 Bulls 31 (10) 2015–2021 Montpellier 105 (55) 2021– Blue Bulls 3 (0) 2021– Bulls 4 (0) Correct as of 23 July 2022 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2011 S.A. Schools 2013 South Africa Under-20 5 (5) Correct as of 1 April 2015

Career

Youth

After representing the Sharks in the 2006 Under-13 Craven Week competition, he moved to Ermelo and subsequently represented the Pumas at the 2009 Under-16 Grant Khomo Week and 2011 Under-18 Craven Week tournaments. His performance in the latter tournament led to his selection in the 2011 South African Schools squad.^[2]

In 2012, he joined the Blue Bulls and made twelve appearances for them in the 2012 Under-21 Provincial Championship competition.^[3]

Blue Bulls

Du Plessis made his senior debut for the Blue Bulls in 2013, starting in the 110–0 thrashing of the Limpopo Blue Bulls.^[4] He also started the game the following week in an equally impressive 89–10 victory against the Griffons,^[5] a match that saw him score his first try, dotting down shortly after half-time.

In July 2013, the Blue Bulls announced that he signed a contract extension until 31 October 2015.^[6]

Bulls

In July 2013, Du Plessis was named on the bench for the Bulls' Super Rugby match against the Stormers^[7] and came on as a substitute to make his Bulls debut.^[8]

Du Plessis was included in the Bulls squad for the 2014 Super Rugby seasonto resign^[9] and made his Super Rugby start in a 31–16 defeat to the Sharks in Durban.^[10][11]

Montpellier

Shortly before the 2015 Super Rugby season, the Bulls announced that Du Plessis would leave after the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division to take up a two-year contract with French Top 14 side Montpellier.^[12]

Return to the Bulls

On 12 April 2021, Du Plessis has left Montpellier early to return to South Africa with the Bulls.^[13]

Representative rugby

Du Plessis was included the South Africa Under-20 squad for the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship.^[14]

In May 2014, Du Plessis was one of eight uncapped players that were called up to a Springbok training camp prior to the 2014 mid-year rugby union tests.^[15]

Varsity Cup

Du Plessis also played some Varsity Cup rugby, representing the UP Tuks in the 2013 Varsity Cup competition.^[16]

Honours

• 2015–16 European Rugby Challenge Cup : winner.^[17]
• Currie Cup winner (2021)