White reunion in France excites Du Plessis

Editor

Bismarck du Plessis has spoken of his excitement at the prospect of working with Jake White again after arriving in Montpellier.

The Springbok hooker has been reunited with his former South Africa and Sharks head coach in France.

Du Plessis was first capped by White, going on to be a part of South Africa's 2007 World Cup winning squad, and was at the Sharks when White took the side to the 2014 Super Rugby semi-finals, before White was dismissed.

"Jake took charge and drove us to the semi-finals of Super Rugby, and he gave me my first cap for the Springboks," Du Plessis told Rugbyrama.

"I have great respect for him, he brings out the best from his players. And more importantly, his record speaks for itself, like when he revitalised the Brumbies at the bottom of the Super Rugby table and took them to a final they should have won. I really want to work with him again."

Du Plessis had been linked with Toulon before putting pen to paper on a contract with Montpellier, and he revealed that it was the persuasion of owner Mohad Altrad that helped decide his next move.

There was also no guarantee that Du Plessis would be joined by his brother, Springbok tighthead Jannie, with the two considering joining seperate clubs until Montpellier approached them.

"The way Mr. Altrad approached me was a deciding factor. I hope that he's made the right choice, not the other way round, and that I can make the fans feel proud of me and the team while I'm playing here," Bismarck said.

"Mr. Altrad contacted us when we were considering our next move, and naturally, we were thinking that Jannie and myself would go and play for seperate clubs.

"But it's always good to have your brother at your side. It makes the change easier for him and for me."