Stalwart midfielder Dan du Plessis is the latest DHL Stormers signing announcement, with the 29-year-old extending his contract until the end of 2026.
Du Plessis has played 69 times for the Stormers but his appearances in the blue jersey might have been twice that were it not for the injuries that have kept him sidelined for fairly long periods at certain stages of his career.
It was probably those injury layoffs that have prevented Du Plessis from fulfilling the potential to become a Springbok that he showed when he was a dominant performer at age-group level. However, Du Plessis said recently that now that he is getting more game time and has his playing momentum up, he still believes he has time to get national recognition.
Du Plessis is the son of the mercurial former Western Province and Springbok centre Michael du Plessis and nephew of the man known as the Prince of Wings, Carel du Plessis, so his contract extension means the Du Plessis family legacy in the Stormers squad is also extended for two more years. Du Plessis’ cousin Jean-Luc, son of Carel, also has 50 Stormers caps to his name.
Midfielder Dan du Plessis has signed a contract extension that will keep him in DHL Stormers colours until at least 2026.
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) April 25, 2024
💬 'This team means a lot to me and I am positive that there are even better times ahead'
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Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said he expects the Paul Roos old boy to grow in the current Stormers set up.
“Dan’s early career was blighted by some frustrating injuries, but we have seen his class shine through in recent seasons and we expect him to continue that upward trajectory,” said Dobson.
“He is a natural ball player and fits our game model perfectly. He is exactly the type of player we are looking to produce and retain in our system. This extension gives Dan the opportunity to fulfil the potential that many have seen in him since his schoolboy days.”
Du Plessis said that the excitement about where the Stormers team was going made it an easy decision to extend.
“I have been playing for the Stormers since 2016, this team means a lot to me and I am positive that there are even better times ahead of us. There is so much potential in this group under these coaches and I am very happy to be part of it going forward.”
Last week the Stormers announced that the precociously talented young flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who also has utility value and can play inside centre as well as fullback, has committed to the Stormers until 2027. Former stalwart second row forward JD Schickerling is on his way back to the Stormers after a three year stint in Japan in July and Springbok World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff, who captained the Stormers to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship title in 2021/2022, is returning from Ulster