Bismarck du Plessis is regarded as one of the greatest hookers to have played for the Springboks.

Known for his hard-hitting style and defensive skills, the 40-year-old’s career spanned close to 20 year. He began his career with the Free State Cheetahs before joining the Sharks in 2005 at the age of 21. Du Plessis spent the majority of his career with the Durban-based team, playing alongside his brother, Jannie.

Bismarck du Plessis was a true enforcer of the game

He made his Springbok debut in 2007 and was a part of the squad during the 2007 Rugby World Cup, stepping in as a replacement for Pierre Spies. During the 2008 end-of-year Test series, the Springboks switched John Smit to tighthead prop to accommodate both Bismarck and the younger, faster Du Plessis in the front row. This arrangement continued through the 2009 Super 14 season with the Sharks and into the Springboks’ Test season.

Over his illustrious international career, he participated in three Rugby World Cups and earned a total of 79 Test caps before retiring in 2015. After leaving the Sharks, where he had played for a decade, Bismarck du Plessis joined the French side Montpellier before ultimately retiring with the Vodacom Blue Bulls in 2023.

Since retirement, the former Springbok enforcer has settled with his family on a farm in the eastern part of Free State. Last year, SA Rugby President Mark Alexander paid tribute to Bismarck and his older brother, Jannie du Plessis.

“I would like to extend a special thank you to Jannie and Bismarck for their immense contributions to the sport in the last 20 years, and for being such loyal servants of rugby and true ambassadors of our country,” said Alexander.

“Very few players have the privilege of playing in more than 70 Test matches. To do so with your brother, featuring in three Rugby World Cups and winning one of them, as well as a host of other titles, is an incredible feat.

“They have been great ambassadors for both South African rugby and the Springboks, carrying the badge with pride on and off the field,” he said.

It remains to be seen if Bismarck du Plessis will get involved in coaching in the coming years.

How good was Bismarck in his prime?

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/where-is-ex-springboks-tough-hooker-bismarck-du-plessis-now/