Dan du Plessis of the Stormers has been in top form this season. Picture: EJ Langner/Gallo Images
Rising talent Dan du Plessis has enjoyed a superb season for the Stormers and has established himself as the first choice inside centre in the team over another fantastic United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign for the Cape Town side.
Last season Damian Willemse was primarily used at inside centre, but has featured more often at fullback this season to accommodate Du Plessis in the midfield.
Even exciting young rising star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been pushed down the pecking order and found his playing time limited due to the top form of Du Plessis.
Last season injury forced Du Plessis to watch the URC play-offs from the sidelines, but he is thrilled to now be a part of it this time round.
“It is incredible how quickly this season has reached the play-offs again. We are out of the Champions Cup so this is the last competition (in Europe for us), with only the Currie Cup left after,” said Du Plessis.
“It was tough last season to miss out on the play-offs and watch from the sidelines, so I am enjoying being a part of the play-offs this season and hopefully we can repeat what we did last season.”
Du Plessis is quick to attribute his impressive form this season to getting regular game time, which has helped him build up some good momentum. He is excited for the team’s semi-final clash against Connacht this coming weekend and is hoping to see another big crowd turn out at the Cape Town Stadium.
“It has been nice for me to get consistent game time and I think that has had a big effect on my performance. If you aren’t getting rotated much or injured and being out there on the field it helps a lot in getting into a rhythm and putting in some decent performances,” explained Du Plessis.
“The amount of spectators that came out to the game was special for the guys. The crowd had a big effect on the team’s performance (last weekend against the Bulls) and just them getting behind us was awesome and hopefully we can get something close to that again this weekend.”
His performances this season have also seen a number of people talking up a possible call-up to the Springbok squad for Du Plessis, but with it being a World Cup year that is increasingly unlikely.
However, he admits that playing for the Boks is a dream of many players, but he can only do what he can do and leave the rest up to the selectors.
“Since I started playing rugby that has always been the goal, to put on the green and gold jersey. I think for most of the players that are playing that is their goal,” said Du Plessis.
“But I can only do what I do every weekend and prove my worth. I don’t pick the squad. So my focus is on putting in (good) performances and contributing to my team and what comes after that is not up to me.”
Stormers assistant coach Dawie Snyman has also been extremely happy with the form of Du Plessis over the season, explaining what an integral part of the squad he is.
“Dan has been great for us this season both on and off the field. He is a good leader and there is a great competitiveness about him. In training he is always pushing his limits and he is having a superb season,” admitted Snyman.
“I am really chuffed that he is on the field and playing (regularly). We always knew the potential of Dan and what he can do, and he just needed that run of games to prove that.”
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