Bok brothers’ father passes away

Cape Town - Springbok brothers, Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis, lost their father on Monday.

According to Netwerk24, Francois du Plessis - who suffered from Parkinson’s disease for nearly 20 years - passed away early on Monday morning.

He was a sheep farmer on the farm, Stirling, near Bethlehem in the eastern Free State.

Bismarck and Jannie currently ply their trade at French club Montpellier, having been stalwarts at the Sharks for many years.

Both started their professional careers at the Free State Cheetahs, before Bismarck headed to the Sharks in 2005. Jannie, who is also a medical doctor, joined his brother in Durban in the 2008 season.

Bismarck, 32, boasts 79 Tests at for the Springboks, while Jannie, 34, has played 70 Tests.

The duo last played for the Boks at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England and were not selected by coach Allister Coetzee in the 2016 season.

Apart from his two famous sons, Francois du Plessis leaves behind his wife Jo-Helene and two more children - son Tabbie and daughter Inez.