Morne du Plessis
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Morne du Plessis (born 21 October 1949 in Krugersdorp, Transvaal Province, now Gauteng) is a former South African rugby union player. He is often described as one of the Springboks' most successful captains. Playing at number 8, his national career spanned ten years, five of which he was captain. He was also the manager of the 1995 Springboks which won the famous 1995 Rugby World Cup final. He is the co-founder with Tim Noakes of the Sports Science Institute of South Africa[1] in Cape Town and the co-founder of Bioenergetics of Exercise Research Unit of the University of Cape Town and the Medical Research Council. His father was also a Springbok captain, and to date, they are the only father-son combination to both captain the Springboks.
He made his test debut with the 1971 Springboks touring party that went to Australia to play in a three test series. The series was a great success for the Springboks who won all three tests; 18-6, 14-6 and 19-11. When the Springboks took to the international stage again, in 1974, they faced the British Lions who swept through South Africa, only drawing the one match, winning all the other games. The draw was in their last test, which resulted in a 13-all score. he did not actually play in the drawn game though, playing the first two tests, before being dropped for the third. Though the series was noted for its use of players, with only four men playing in all three tests.
At the end of the season, he played twice for the Springboks, in two tests against France. South Africa won both, 10 to eight and 13 to four. The French toured South Africa the following season, and du Plessis was selected to lead the Springboks. He made a successful start as skipper with the Springboks defeating the French 38-25 in Bloemfontein in the first test, and winning 33-18 in Pretoria in the second.
In 1976 he was to lead the Springboks into a tough four-test series against the All Blacks. The Springboks won the first test 16-7, but lost the second 15-9. However, du Plessis and his men bounced back in the third test, winning 15-10. The Springboks took the victory in a 15-14 win over the New Zealanders in the fourth and final test. The following year he led the Springboks to victory, 45-24, over a World XV side in Pretoria. Although the sports boycotts of South Africa were really starting to isolate the side, the Springboks played two matches against the South American Jaguars, made up mainly of Argentinian players. South Africa won 24-9 in Johannesburg and 18-9 in Durban.
In total he played 22 times for South Africa, winning 18 times. Under his captaincy the Springboks won thirteen times, and lost only twice. His contribution to South African rugby was not over however, as he managed the 1995 Springbok World Cup victory in what is recognized as one of the greatest moments in South African sporting history. He was recognised by the Laureus World Sports Awards. He was also elected a member of the World Sports Academy. He has also been inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.ssisa.com/ Sports Science Institute of South Africa
