Springbok no. 455 · Eighthman
Morné du Plessis
Morné du Plessis · WP
22Tests
3Tries
3Tours
21Age at debut
Test career
197119751980
First test
17 Jul 1971, age 21 · Eighthman v Australia, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Last test
8 Nov 1980, age 31 · Eighthman v France, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Biography
Morné du Plessis was a tall, commanding eighthman and one of South Africa’s finest captains. Born in Vereeniging on 21 October 1949 and educated at Grey College, he played for Western Province and won 22 caps between 1971 and 1980, losing only four.
He captained South Africa 15 times, including the 3–1 series win over the 1976 All Blacks and the 3–1 win over the 1980 British Isles side. His father Felix also captained the Springboks, making them the only father and son to do so. He later managed the 1995 World Cup-winning team.
Test history
22 tests · 15 as captain · 12 points| Date | Opponent | Venue | Position | Result | Province |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jul 1971 |  Australia | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | Eighthman | W 19–11 | WP |
| 31 Jul 1971 | Australia | Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane | Eighthman | W 14–6 | WP |
| 07 Aug 1971 | Australia | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | Eighthman | W 18–6 | WP |
| 08 Jun 1974 |  Britain | Newlands, Cape Town | Eighthman | L 3–12 | WP |
| 22 Jun 1974 | Britain | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | Flank | L 9–28 | WP |
| 23 Nov 1974 |  France | Stade Municipal, Toulouse | Eighthman | W 13–4 | WP |
| 30 Nov 1974 | France | Parc des Princes, Paris | Eighthman | W 10–8 | WP |
| 21 Jun 1975 | France | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein | Eighthman (C) | W 38–25 | WP |
| 28 Jun 1975 | France | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | Eighthman (C) | W 33–18 | WP |
| 24 Jul 1976 |  New Zealand | Kings Park, Durban | Eighthman (C) | W 16–7 | WP |
| 14 Aug 1976 | New Zealand | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein | Eighthman (C) | L 9–15 | WP |
| 04 Sep 1976 | New Zealand | Newlands, Cape Town | Eighthman (C) | W 15–10 | WP |
| 18 Sep 1976 | New Zealand | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Eighthman (C) | W 15–14 | WP |
| 27 Aug 1977 | World Invitation | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | Eighthman (C) | W 45–24 | WP |
| 26 Apr 1980 |  South America | Wanderers, Johannesburg | Eighthman (C) | W 24–9 | WP |
| 03 May 1980 | South America | Kings Park, Durban | Eighthman (C) | W 18–9 | WP |
| 31 May 1980 | Britain | Newlands, Cape Town | Eighthman (C) | W 26–22 | WP |
| 14 Jun 1980 | Britain | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein | Eighthman (C) | W 26–19 | WP |
| 28 Jun 1980 | Britain | Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth | Eighthman (C) | W 12–10 | WP |
| 12 Jul 1980 | Britain | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | Eighthman (C) | L 13–17 | WP |
| 25 Oct 1980 | South America | Prince of Wales Country Club, Santiago | Eighthman (C) | W 30–16 | WP |
| 08 Nov 1980 | France | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | Eighthman (C) | W 37–15 | WP |