Carel du Plessis

Carel Johan du Plessis (born 24 June 1960)[1] is a former South African rugby union coach and player.

Carel du Plessis
Birth nameCarel Johan du Plessis
Date of birth (1960-06-24) 24 June 1960
Place of birthSomerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Height1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight85 kg (187 lb)
SchoolPaarl Boys High
UniversityStellenbosch University
ChildrenJean-Luc du Plessis
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing, Centre
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1980–1986, 1988–1989
1987		 Western Province
Transvaal		 ()
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1982–1989  South Africa 12 (16) [4t]
Teams coached
Years Team
1997  South Africa

Playing career

Du Plessis played for Western Province and the Springboks, his skills earning him the nickname the Prince of Wings.[2] Capped 12 times, he scored 4 tries for the Springboks, but his international career was curtailed by the sports boycott against apartheid South Africa.[3]

Test history
No.OppositionResult (SA 1st)PositionTriesDateVenue
1.South American Jaguars50–18Wing127 March 1982Loftus Versveld, Pretoria
2.South American Jaguars12–21Wing3 April 1982Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
3.England33–15Wing12 June 1984Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth
4.England35–9Wing9 June 1984Ellis Park, Johannesburg
5.South American Jaguars32–15Wing20 October 1984Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
6.South American Jaguars21–13Wing127 October 1984Newlands, Cape Town
7.New Zealand Cavaliers21–15Wing110 May 1986Newlands, Cape Town
8.New Zealand Cavaliers18–19Wing17 May 1986Kings Park, Durban
9.New Zealand Cavaliers33–18Wing24 May 1986Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
10.New Zealand Cavaliers24–10Wing31 May 1986Ellis Park, Johannesburg
11.World XV20–19Wing26 Aug 1989Newlands, Cape Town
12.World XV22–16Wing2 Sep 1989Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Coaching career

In late February 1997, du Plessis was appointed coach of the Springboks, succeeding Andre Markgraaff, despite a lack of coaching experience.[4][5] He led the team to defeat in both the British and Irish Lions' 1997 tour and the 1997 Tri-Nations, before being sacked and replaced by Nick Mallett, his last game as coach being a 61–22 win over Australia.[6] He was subsequently an assistant coach for Western Province and the Stormers, with Gert Smal.[2]

Personal

Du Plessis is the brother of Michael du Plessis and Willie du Plessis, both former Springboks, father of Jean-Luc du Plessis, who plays for the Stormers, and uncle of Daniël du Plessis, a former South Africa U20 player.[2]

He has undergone three major surgeries after a brain tumour was discovered in January 2019.[2][7]

See also

References
  1. Carel du Plessis, Scrum.com.
  2. "Springbok legend Du Plessis undergoes brain operation", sport24.co.za, 6 February 2019.
  3. Danny Coyle, "Selecting the Greatest All-Time South Africa XV: 14: Carol du Plessis", Bleacher Report, 29 July 2014.
  4. "Du Plessis in the deep end as Lions make an early start", Mail & Guardian, 28 February 1997.
  5. Chris Hewett, "Rugby Union: Du Plessis made bold by his belief", The Independent, 7 June 1997.
  6. Ashfak Mohamed, "Carel: Don’t expect fireworks on Nov tour", IOL, 30 October 2016.
  7. "Springbok legend 'spiritually strong' in cancer battle". Sport. 2019-11-29. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Andre Markgraaff		 South Africa National Rugby Union Coach
1997–1997		 Succeeded by
Nick Mallett
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