Stormers flyhalf door open for Du Plessis

Cape Town - Jean-Luc du Plessis, the son of legendary former Springbok and Western Province wing Carel du Plessis, will start at flyhalf for the Stormers when they tackle the Sunwolves at Newlands on Friday.

Incumbent flyhalf Kurt Coleman suffered a serious knee injury in training on Tuesday, and with Robert du Preez also sidelined with a knee ailment, Du Plessis will wear the No 10 for the clash against the Japanese.

With both Du Preez and Coleman out for an extended period, it will be the perfect opportunity for the 21-year-old Du Plessis to make a name for himself.

Du Plessis follows in the footsteps of his father, Carel, who was dubbed the “Prince of Wings” by the Newlands faithful.

Du Plessis senior played 12 Tests for the Springboks between 1982 and 1989 and was part of the Western Province team that won the Currie Cup a record five times in a row in the 1980s. He was also the Springbok coach in 1997.

Brandon Thomson is the other flyhalf option and he is likely to be drafted in from Western Province’s Currie Cup squad as back-up.