Cape Town - Carel du Plessis scored some unbelievable tries at Newlands, and left the Western Province faithful with plenty of memories when he retired.
But his son, Jean-Luc, is slowly making a name for himself on the hallowed turf where Carel earned the nick name “Prince of Wings”.
The 21-year-old flyhalf is walking in his father’s footsteps. Literally.
In his run-on Super Rugby debut for the Stormers against the Sunwolves three weeks ago, Jean-Luc scored a try in the left-hand corner in front of the main pavilion and the Jan Pickard stand.
It was his first Super Rugby try, but later that night he would find out that it had even more meaning than he had initially thought.
“When I got home after the game, my father had a good laugh and congratulated me,” Jean-Luc said. “My mother then told me my father’s last try for Western Province was in that corner.”
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck describes Jean-Luc as a player with a lot of ability, but someone who is still very raw – a bit of a rough diamond.
Jean-Luc is certainly a confident young man, and a player who believes in his abilities. That little dink with the outside of the boot against the Sunwolves showed that he isn’t shy to try things, while his magnificent break last Saturday against the Reds showcased his ability as a footballer.
Jean-Luc knows he has to work hard to be a success at this level, after getting his chance following injuries to Kurt Coleman and Robert du Preez.
“I’m obviously very happy for the opportunity, really grateful for it. It’s a big step up for me, as you know Super Rugby is a different beast,” the former SA Under-20 flyhalf said.
“In the back of my mind I was hoping that I would get an opportunity to play this year, but obviously there were no bad wishes for Rob and Kurt, two good mates of mine and I feel sorry for them.”
But does the legend of the Du Plessis name weigh heavy on his shoulders? Is it a bit of a burden? It certainly doesn’t look like it, as he plays with a lot of freedom.
“It’s something that runs deep in my family, and something my family and I take a lot of pride from. It’s definitely internal motivation that I take, the history of our family in the game,” said the flyhalf, whose uncle Michael – himself a star for WP, is also a hero to many fans of the blue-and-white hoops.
Meanwhile, the Stormers are set to welcome back co-captains Juan de Jongh and Frans Malherbe for Saturday's match against the Waratahs at Newlands (kickoff 7.15pm).
Hooker Scarra Ntubeni, who suffered a hamstring strain two weeks ago, is also expected to be fit, while Du Plessis, who was substituted after a knock to his calf on Saturday against the Reds, is also fit to play this weekend.
Cape Argus