Willie du Plessis (rugby union, born 1955)
Birth name | Willem du Plessis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 4 September 1955 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 83 kg (183 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Gill College, Somerset East | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
University | Stellenbosch University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notable relative(s) | Michael du Plessis (brother), Carel du Plessis (brother), Jacques du Plessis (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Children | Lizaan du Plessis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Willem du Plessis (born 4 September 1955)[1] is a former South African rugby union player.
Early life
Du Plessis was born in
Playing career
In 1975, du Plessis enrolled at Stellenbosch University for a degree in Physical Education and in 1977 made his debut for Western Province. Between 1977 and 1982, he played 67 matches for Western Province and was a member of the Western Province team that won the Currie Cup in 1982. Two of his brothers, Michael and Carel, were also in the 1982 Currie Cup winning team.[3]
Du Plessis made his test debut for the
Test history
No. | Opposition | Result (SA 1st) | Position | Tries | Date | Venue |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | South American Jaguars |
24–9 | Centre |
26 April 1980 | Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | |
2. | South American Jaguars | 18–9 | Centre | 3 May 1980 | Kings Park Stadium, Durban | |
3. | British Lions | 26–22 | Centre | 1 | 31 May 1980 | Newlands, Cape Town |
4. | British Lions | 26–19 | Centre | 14 June 1980 | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein | |
5. | British Lions | 12–10 | Centre | 28 June 1980 | Port Elizabeth
| |
6. | British Lions | 13–17 | Centre | 1 | 12 July 1980 | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria |
7. | South American Jaguars | 22–13 | Centre | 18 October 1980 | Wanderers Club, Montevideo | |
8. | South American Jaguars | 30–16 | Centre | 25 October 1980 | Prince of Wales Country Club, Santiago
| |
9. | France | 37–15 | Centre | 8 November 1980 | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | |
10. | New Zealand | 9–14 | Centre | 15 August 1981 | Lancaster Park, Christchurch | |
11. | New Zealand | 24–12 | Centre | 29 August 1981 | Wellington
| |
12. | New Zealand | 22–25 | Centre | 12 September 1981 | Eden Park, Auckland | |
13. | South American Jaguars | 50–18 | Centre | 1 | 27 March 1982 | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria |
14. | South American Jaguars | 12–21 | Centre | 3 April 1982 | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein |
Accolades
In 1979, du Plessis was named one of the five South African Young Players of the Year, along with Darius Botha, Doug Jeffrey, Andre Markgraaff and Gawie Visagie.[6]
Personal
Du Plessis is the brother of Michael du Plessis and Carel du Plessis, both former Springboks and the father of Lizaan du Plessis, a former professional tennis player. His fourth brother, Jacques du Plessis played provincial rugby for Western Province and Eastern Province. During the latter part of the 2000s, Du Plessis emigrated to Australia and resides in Sydney.[7]
See also
- List of South Africa national rugby union players – Springbok no. 500
References
- ^ ESPNScrum.com: Willie du Plessis
- ^ ISBN 978-1-920109-79-0.
- OCLC 54188953.
- OCLC 36916860.
- ISBN 0958423148.
- ISBN 0958423148.
- ^ "Sydney University: Willie Doep". Green and Gold Rugby. Retrieved 24 May 2020.