Springbok no. 523 · Left Wing

Carel du Plessis

Carel Johan du Plessis · WP

12Tests

4Tries

1Tours

21Age at debut

Test career

198219851989

First test

27 Mar 1982, age 21 · Left Wing v South America, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Last test

2 Sep 1989, age 29 · Left Wing v World Invitation, Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Biography

Carel du Plessis was a brilliant, elusive wing nicknamed the ‘Prince of Wings’. Born in Somerset East on 24 June 1960 and educated at Paarl Boys’ High and Gill College, he played for Western Province and won 12 caps between 1982 and 1989, losing only two. He scored tries against South America, England and the 1986 Cavaliers. He later coached the Springboks in 1997. His brothers Willie and Michael also played for South Africa.

Test history

12 tests · 16 points

Date	Opponent	Venue	Position	Result	Province
27 Mar 1982	South America	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria	Left Wing	W 50–18	WP
03 Apr 1982	South America	Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein	Left Wing	L 12–21	WP
02 Jun 1984	England	Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth	Left Wing	W 33–15	WP
09 Jun 1984	England	Ellis Park, Johannesburg	Left Wing	W 35–9	WP
20 Oct 1984	South America	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria	Left Wing	W 32–15	WP
27 Oct 1984	South America	Newlands, Cape Town	Left Wing	W 22–13	WP
10 May 1986	NZ Cavaliers	Newlands, Cape Town	Left Wing	W 21–15	WP
17 May 1986	NZ Cavaliers	Kings Park, Durban	Left Wing	L 18–19	WP
24 May 1986	NZ Cavaliers	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria	Left Wing	W 33–18	WP
31 May 1986	NZ Cavaliers	Ellis Park, Johannesburg	Left Wing	W 24–10	WP
26 Aug 1989	World Invitation	Newlands, Cape Town	Left Wing	W 20–19	WP
02 Sep 1989	World Invitation	Ellis Park, Johannesburg	Left Wing	W 22–16	WP