Bismarck du Plessis: 'Every time I can put my boots on I feel fortunate’

The South African World Cup winner reflects on his innate competitiveness, family tragedy and coming out of retirement to play in the snow in Europe's Champions Cup

Sat, 17 Dec, 2022 - 07:35

Rob Kitson

A compelling force clearly still drives Bismarck du Plessis. He is 38 now and there is plenty else to occupy him on the family farm near Bethlehem, 165 miles due south of Johannesburg. He and his wife, Anja, already have three boys, including six-year-old identical twins, with twin girls due in March. After 79 caps for South Africa, a 2007 World Cup winner’s medal and multiple other honours, the battle-scarred hooker could be excused for seeking a quieter life.

And yet here he is, dragging his aching body halfway around the world to hit more rucks in Exeter on a freezing Saturday in the shadow of Christmas. The bleak midwinter challenge at Sandy Park in the Champions Cup on Saturday appears, if anything, to be an extra incentive.