Christo du Plessis

Christo du Plessis
Full nameChristo John du Plessis
Date of birth (1989-06-02) 2 June 1989 (age 35)
Place of birthGeorge, South Africa
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight100 kg (15 st 10 lb; 220 lb)
SchoolGeorge High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker / Number eight
Current team Griffons
Youth career
2007 SWD Eagles
2008 Griffons
2009–2010 SWD Eagles
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–2012 Blanco ()
2013 Evergreens 2 (5)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–2017 SWD Eagles 85 (90)
Correct as of 29 May 2018

Christo John du Plessis (born 2 June 1989 in George, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player who most recently played the SWD Eagles.[1] His regular position is flanker or number eight.

Career

Youth and amateur rugby

As a scholar playing rugby for George High School,[2] Du Plessis was selected for the SWD Eagles side that played at the 2007 Under-18 Craven Week tournament.[3]

In 2008, he moved to Virginia to join the Harmony Sports Academy.[4] He also represented the Griffons U19 side in the 2008 Under-19 Provincial Championship,[5] (which was the South African junior competition won by any Griffons side) and he was named their Forward of the Year.[6]

He returned to George in 2009 where he was named in the SWD U21 side that played in the 2009 Under-21 Provincial Championship.

He also played some club rugby for Blanco between 2010 and 2012.

SWD Eagles

His introduction to first class rugby came during the 2010 Vodacom Cup competition when he was one of a number of club players that were included in the SWD Eagles squad for the competition.[7] He was an unused reserve in their match against the Free State XV,[8] but then played off the bench in their match against the Boland Cavaliers in Saldanha to make his debut.[9] His second appearance came against the Border Bulldogs, which also saw Du Plessis score his first senior try in a 39–30 victory in Beaufort West.[10]

He also made his Currie Cup debut later in 2010, during the 2010 Currie Cup First Division competition, playing off the bench in their match against the Border Bulldogs.[11]

Blanco / Evergreens

However, he then fell out of the provincial set-up and reverted to playing amateur rugby for local club side Blanco in 2011 and 2012, also captaining the side as they qualified for the National Club Championships in 2012.[12]

He made a single appearance for the SWD Eagles in the 2012 Vodacom Cup, playing the last 20 minutes of their match against Western Province.[13]

He joined Pacaltsdorp-based club side Evergreens in 2013 and made two appearances for them in the 2013 SARU Community Cup competition, also scoring a try in their match against White River from Mpumalanga.[14]

SWD Eagles (2013–)

His club form saw him earn a contract with the SWD Eagles[15] and he made six appearances in the 2013 Vodacom Cup competition, scoring one try. He established himself as a first-choice player, starting ten matches for the Eagles during the 2013 Currie Cup First Division competition and playing off the bench twice. He also contributed three tries during the campaign as his side reached the semi-final stage of the competition before being eliminated 52–33 by eventual champions the Pumas.[16]

References

  1. ^ "SA Rugby Player Profile – Christo du Plessis". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. ^ "George-skole baas" (in Afrikaans). Die Burger. 7 May 2007. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  3. ^ "SWD-keurders kies vir Cravenweek" (in Afrikaans). Die Burger. 28 May 2007. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  4. ^ "Griffons hou finale rugbyproewe" (in Afrikaans). Volksblad. 12 May 2008. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Griffons wys hul potensiaal" (in Afrikaans). Volksblad. 20 August 2008. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  6. ^ "Span maak geskiedenis" (in Afrikaans). Volksblad. 12 November 2008. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  7. ^ "Klubspelers wys hulle is reg vir Curriebeker" (in Afrikaans). Die Son. 20 April 2010. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  8. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – SWD 13–22 Free State". South African Rugby Union. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  9. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Boland Kavaliers 25–24 SWD". South African Rugby Union. 13 March 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  10. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – SWD 39–30 Border". South African Rugby Union. 17 April 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  11. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – SWD 33–12 Border". South African Rugby Union. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  12. ^ "Groot terugslag vir SWD" (in Afrikaans). Die Burger. 13 September 2012. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  13. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – SWD Eagles 14–29 DHL Western Province". South African Rugby Union. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  14. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – White River (Mpumalanga) 20–48 Evergreens (SWD)". South African Rugby Union. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  15. ^ "Evergreens slyp tande vir Gemeenskapsbeker" (in Afrikaans). Die Burger. 21 March 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  16. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Steval Pumas 52–33 SWD Eagles". South African Rugby Union. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2016.