Willie du Plessis (rugby player, born 1990)
Willem Nicolaas Frederik du Plessis (born 5 June 1990 in Pretoria) is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with French Top 14 side Bayonne.[1] His regular position is fly-half.
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| Full name | Willem Nicolaas Frederik du Plessis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 5 June 1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Pretoria, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 93 kg (14 st 9 lb; 205 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Pretoria | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Career
Youth
Du Plessis played for the Blue Bulls at the 2008 Under-18 Academy Week competition before moving to Durban to join the Sharks. He played for the Sharks U19 team in the 2009 Under-19 Provincial Championship and for the Sharks U21 team in the 2010 Under-21 Provincial Championship, scoring 96 points in twelve matches.[2] He was named in the Sharks' squad for the 2011 Vodacom Cup competition, but failed to make an appearance. He made two more appearances for the Sharks in the 2011 Under-21 Provincial Championship, before returning to the Blue Bulls U21 team for the latter part of the competition, making a further four appearances.
Blue Bulls
He was included in the Blue Bulls squad for the 2012 Vodacom Cup competition[3] and made his first class debut against the Falcons, coming on as a half-time substitute and scoring a try within five minutes of his debut, as well as two conversions.[4] He also appeared as a substitute in two of their remaining fixtures in the competition. He was once again included in their squad for the 2013 Vodacom Cup competition[5] and made his first start for the Blue Bulls, once again against the Falcons,[6] this time scoring seven conversions.
His next game in the competition came against the Limpopo Blue Bulls, with the Blue Bulls running out 110–0 victors.[7] Du Plessis weighed in with two tries and fifteen conversions (missing just one attempt), scoring 40 points in one match, a Vodacom Cup record.[8]
Free State Cheetahs
He joined the Free State Cheetahs on a short-term deal for the 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division.[9]
Golden Lions
He signed a two-year deal with the Golden Lions, joining them in November 2013.[9]
Return to Cheetahs
However, his time in Johannesburg was short-lived and he returned to Bloemfontein for the 2015 Super Rugby season,[10] signing a contract until the end of 2016.
Toulon
In August 2015, he joined French Top 14 side Toulon as a medical joker on a three-month loan deal.[11]
Bayonne
He joined Bayonne in November 2015 as a medical joker,[12] before signing a full-time contract a month later, signing a three-year deal starting in the 2016–17 season.[13]
Varsity Cup
He also played Varsity Cup rugby for UP Tuks, making twelve appearances in 2012 and 2013.
References
- "SA Rugby Player Profile – Willie du Plessis". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
- "SA Rugby Top Scorers – 2010 ABSA Under 21 Competition". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- "SA Rugby Squad – Vodacom Blue Bulls : 2012 Vodacom Cup". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- "SA Rugby Match Centre – Vodacom Blue Bulls 49-8 Valke". South African Rugby Union. 13 April 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- "SA Rugby Squad – Vodacom Blue Bulls : 2013 Vodacom Cup". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- "SA Rugby Match Centre – Valke 14-74 Vodacom Blue Bulls". South African Rugby Union. 13 April 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- "SA Rugby Match Centre – Assupol Limpopo Blue Bulls 0-110 Vodacom Blue Bulls". South African Rugby Union. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- "Player of the Week: Willie du Plessis". Blue Bulls. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- "Tukkies se generaal wil deel in VS-flair". Media24 (in Afrikaans). Beeld. 13 August 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- "Cheetahs sign Sergeal". SuperSport. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
- "Willie du Plessis na Toulon, en Tier word 'n Cheetah". Netwerk24. 13 August 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- "Willie du Plessis s'engage à l'Aviron Bayonnais !" (Press release) (in French). Aviron Bayonnais Rugby. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
- "Ils prolongent à l'Aviron Bayonnais !" (Press release) (in French). Aviron Bayonnais Rugby. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2017.