Carel du Plessis
South African rugby union coach and player
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Carel Johan du Plessis (born 24 June 1960)[1][2] is a former South African rugby union coach and player.
24 June 1960
| Born | Carel Johan du Plessis 24 June 1960 Somerset East, Eastern Cape, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 85 kg (187 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Paarl Boys High | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Stellenbosch University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Playing career
Du Plessis played for Western Province and the Springboks, his skills earning him the nickname the Prince of Wings.[3] He is ranked among the best Springbok wings of all-time,[4] although he was only capped 12 times, scoring 4 tries, with his international career curtailed by the sports boycott against apartheid South Africa.[5]
Test history
| No. | Opposition | Result (SA 1st) | Position | Tries | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | South American Jaguars | 50–18 | Wing | 1 | 27 March 1982 | Loftus Versveld, Pretoria |
| 2. | South American Jaguars | 12–21 | Wing | 3 April 1982 | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein | |
| 3. | England | 33–15 | Wing | 1 | 2 June 1984 | Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth |
| 4. | England | 35–9 | Wing | 9 June 1984 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | |
| 5. | South American Jaguars | 32–15 | Wing | 20 October 1984 | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | |
| 6. | South American Jaguars | 21–13 | Wing | 1 | 27 October 1984 | Newlands, Cape Town |
| 7. | New Zealand Cavaliers | 21–15 | Wing | 1 | 10 May 1986 | Newlands, Cape Town |
| 8. | New Zealand Cavaliers | 18–19 | Wing | 17 May 1986 | Kings Park, Durban | |
| 9. | New Zealand Cavaliers | 33–18 | Wing | 24 May 1986 | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | |
| 10. | New Zealand Cavaliers | 24–10 | Wing | 31 May 1986 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | |
| 11. | World XV | 20–19 | Wing | 26 Aug 1989 | Newlands, Cape Town | |
| 12. | World XV | 22–16 | Wing | 2 Sep 1989 | Ellis 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.[6][7] 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.[8] He was subsequently an assistant coach for Western Province and the Stormers, with Gert Smal.[3]
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.[3]
He has undergone three major surgeries after a brain tumour was discovered in January 2019.[3][9]
See also
- List of South Africa national rugby union players – Springbok no. 523
