Jake White: Bulls boss lauds influence of veteran Bismarck du Plessis

Dylan Coetzee
Bulls veteran Bismarck du Plessis warms up his throwing before a game.

Bismarck du Plessis of the Bulls warming up before the United Rugby Championship 2021/22 Final between the Stormers and the Bulls at Cape Town Stadium on 18 June 2022 © Ryan Wilkisky/Sports Inc

Bulls head coach Jake White has praised veteran hooker Bismarck du Plessis, who remains an important figure in the squad even at the age of 38.

Du Plessis has worked with White on several occasions, winning the 2007 Rugby World Cup with the Springboks, with the Sharks between 2013-2014 and Montpellier between 2015-2017.

In good shape

White says Du Plessis ranks near the top in fitness tests despite his age and sets a positive example to young players.

“He’s worth his weight in gold,” White told the URC’s website. “In his life, Bismarck has passed every test with flying colours. He got straight As in school, played first team water polo and went to three world cups. He’s the real deal.

“Can he throw better than most hookers? Yes. Does he still dominate in the scrum? Yes. Does he have an aura that people respect on the field? Yes.

“Even though he’s older than his teammates, he is still among the top three or four players in our fitness tests. Like Morne Steyn, he’s a real professional and a role model – you couldn’t ask for more in an older player.”

White looks forward to Du Plessis challenging young stars Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels for a spot in the Bulls line-up and expects the veteran to embrace the challenge.

“I think this will be a big challenge for Bismarck. But I’ve known him since he was 18 and I’ve coached him for South Africa, as the captain at the Sharks, in the Top 14 and now at the Bulls,” he added.

“It’s a wonderful position to be in as a coach. No one is writing him off. In his career, he’s passed all the physical challenges and still does, and he’s never backed down from an emotional challenge. That’s why he has 79 Test caps and is a legend of South African rugby.”

The coach revealed that he brought in the hooker for his management of the game, particularly in its latter stages.

“I had a gut feeling about Bismarck. I got a feeling that his presence (would be important) at the back end of the game – talking to the other players, controlling the scrums with the referee – and I thought he was outstanding,” White continued.

Squad mentor

For Du Plessis himself, it is all about giving back to younger players and leaving his influence and legacy on the game.

“Since I came to play for the Bulls, I have rediscovered my love for rugby,” the hooker said.

“It’s probably because it reminds me of when I started at the Sharks – when I was a young player there, guys like Johan Ackermann and Percy Montgomery had a big influence on my career. I would like to give back, even if it is only a small contribution.”

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