DHL Stormers centre Dan du Plessis says he won’t have “anything to prove” when he comes up against Henco van Wyk at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Du Plessis has bossed the midfield for the Stormers during the early rounds of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship after missing the last four months of last season due to a serious concussion that he says required “a more conservative route” back to the game.
On Saturday, the 27-year-old will come up against 21-year-old Van Wyk whose red-hot form for the Emirates Lions has put him in contention for South Africa A selection.
“I don’t think there’s anything I need to prove,” Du Plessis said when asked the question on Wednesday. “It’s always nice to go up against a quality player and it’s a breath of fresh air seeing the youngsters come through.
“I will be reviewing the Lions games and will obviously watch more of him, but from what I’ve seen he’s a very talented player and I’m looking forward to the match-up with him.”
Du Plessis admitted it had been “tough” to miss the business end of last season’s URC and a “bitter-sweet” moment when the Stormers had beaten the Vodacom Bulls in the final.
“It was amazing to see them lift the cup but you obviously want to be on the field with them,” he added. “Even if you’ve contributed all season long, not playing in the final is a bitter pill to swallow. But hopefully we can win it again this season and I can be on the field.”
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Stormers coach John Dobson recently said that Du Plessis, who represented SA at U18 and U20 levels, would have been a Springbok by now but for his injury setbacks. And it clearly remains a burning ambition for the son of former Bok centre Michael.
“If being a Springbok isn’t your goal then you shouldn’t be on the field,” he said. “You always want to be the best in your position. But I have to put in consistent performances [for the Stormers] week in, week out, and then that [Springbok selection] will come.”
Du Plessis also confirmed that his cousin, Jean-Luc, was back training with the Stormers after a stint with the Honda Heat.
Backline and attack coach Dawie Snyman clarified the flyhalf’s situation.
“Jean-Luc is a special player and we were quite sad when he went to Japan [in 2020]. Things didn’t work out for him there, so he’s a free agent and asked us if he could train with us. Once a Stormer, you are always welcome back,” said Snyman.
“At this stage, he is just training with us and we will see if we can help get him back playing. We can then see where he is and where we are as a union.
“He’s a great guy to have around and has matured and calmed down a bit … he was quite feisty when he was last here, shouting at forwards and telling Eben [Etzebeth] what to do! He’s a bit more relaxed now.”
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