Not to be confused with Jean-Pierre 'JP' du Plessis (born 1992), who played as a centre for the Golden Lions in 2012 and 2013 and for the Limpopo Blue Bulls in 2015. Also not to be confused with Jean-Pierre du Plessis (born 1989), who played as a centre for UP Tuks in 2011 and 2012 and for the Blue Bulls in the 2012 Vodacom Cup.
Phillipus Jacobus Snyman 'JP' du Plessis (born 29 April 1991) is a South African professional rugby union player who plays centre position for the New Orleans GoldofMajor League Rugby (MLR) in the U.S.
Du Plessis grew up playing rugby union in South Africa starting his career as school pupil at Reitz High School in Reitz[citation needed] and later moving to Paul Roos GymnasiuminStellenbosch. He was selected to represent Western Province at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week tournament in 2007 and represented them at the premier high school rugby union competition in South Africa, the Under-18 Craven Week, in 2009. After that event, he was also named in the 2009 South African Schools squad. He played off the bench in their 86–3 against Italy[4] and scored South Africa's only try in their 13–45 defeat by England three days later.[5]
Du Plessis was then one of two South African youngsters that moved to Australia to join rugby league side the Sydney Roosters, the other being Brian Skosana.[6][7] He never played for the first team, but did represent their Under-20 side in the 2010 Toyota Cup.
In 2010, Du Plessis reverted to rugby union, signing with the RebelsSuper Rugby side for their inaugural season in Super Rugby in 2011.[8][9] He made a single Super Rugby appearance for the Rebels, coming on as a late replacement in their match against the Hurricanes.[10]
Still eligible for play at Under-21 level, he played for the Western Province U21 side during the 2012 Under-21 Provincial Championship and scored one try in their match against the Leopards U21.[15] He was then called up to their Currie Cup side and made nine appearances for them during the 2012 Currie Cup Premier Division. He scored tries in their matches against Griquas[16] and the Blue Bulls to help them finish in third spot on the log to qualify for the semi-finals. However, he didn't feature in the semi-final or the final (which Western Province won by beating the Sharks 25–18)[17] instead reverting to the Under-21 side; he played in both their 19–18 semi-final victory over the Sharks U21[18] and their 13–22 defeat by the Blue Bulls U21 in the final.[19]
He didn't feature for the Stormers in the 2013 Super Rugby season and opted to move to France to join Top 14 side Montpellier prior to the 2013–14 Top 14 season.[20] However, he failed to break into the first team at Montpellier due to suffering a knee injury and featured in just one match for them, coming on as a late replacement in a 25–18 victory over Grenoble.[21]
He returned from France after just one season to join the Free State Cheetahs prior to the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division.[22] He made five starts and five appearances off the bench for the Bloemfontein-based side, scoring a try in their match against the Pumas[23] as the Free State Cheetahs finished in fifth spot to miss out on the play-offs.
