BISMARCK DU PLESSIS: THE WARRIOR WHO HELPED DEFINE A GOLDEN ERA OF SPRINGBOK RUGBY 🏉 There are rugby players, and then there are forces of nature... Bismarck du Plessis belongs firmly in the second category. The man from Bethlehem in the Free State — born on 22 May 1984 — celebrated his 42nd birthday on Friday, so it is the perfect moment to reflect on a career that left an indelible mark on South African rugby, European club rugby, and the global game. You do not become Bismarck du Plessis by accident. You are forged — on a farm in the eastern Free State, where his father Francois and mother Jo-Helene raised a family of rugby-mad, fiercely competitive brothers... 🎙️ FULL STORY on JustPlainSport .com #JustPlainSport | #BismarckduPlessis #Rugby #Springboks

🎂 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RYAN OOSTHUIZEN | LAWYER, LEADER, BLITZBOK LEGEND 🇿🇦 Today, 22 May, the Blitzboks family celebrates one of its most decorated, most dependable, and most admired servants. Ryan Oosthuizen turns 31 today, and as he blows out the candles, there is a career’s worth of silverware, sweat, and unforgettable memories to reflect on. What makes Ryan Oosthuizen’s story so compelling is the person behind the achievements. He is described by teammates and coaches alike as one of the senior leaders in the squad — quiet, grounded, team-first... 🎙️ FULL STORY on JustPlainSport .com Happy 31st birthday, Ryan. Here’s to many more tries, more trophies, and more memories in the green and gold. 🎂🏉 @ryan_oosthuizen #JustPlainSport | #RyanOosthuizens #Blitzboks #SpringbokSevens

DRICUS DU PLESSIS UFC RETURN: WHO COULD ‘STILLKNOCKS’ FIGHT NEXT? 👊 The wait is almost over. Dricus “Stillknocks” du Plessis is set to make his long-awaited return to the UFC Octagon — and the fight world is buzzing about what comes next for South Africa’s only UFC champion... 🎙️ FULL STORY on JustPlainSport .com #JustPlainSport | #dricusduplessis #ufc #mma

FROM DUSTY STREETS TO GOLDEN GLORY: THE EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY OF RASSIE ERASMUS 🏅 He grew up in Despatch, a small working-class town in the Eastern Cape, far removed from the boardrooms and broadcast studios where rugby legends are usually made… This week, Johan “Rassie” Erasmus stood at the very top of South African public life, receiving the National Order of Ikhamanga in Gold from the South African Presidency — the country’s highest honour for sporting excellence. It is an award reserved not just for winners, but for those who have changed something. And what Rassie changed, arguably, was South Africa’s relationship with itself. Congratulations, Rassie. Enkosi. Baie dankie. 🟢🟡 @rasrugby 🎙️ FULL STORY on JustPlainSport .com #RassieErasmus #Springboks #OrderOfIkhamanga #SouthAfricanRugby #RWC2023 #RWC2019 #JustPlainSport

400 GAMES – ONE LEGEND! WILLIE LE ROUX 💙 Fireworks lit up Loftus Versfeld. A special commemorative ball was handed over. And in the 12th minute, Willie le Roux did what he has always done — he found space where there was none and strolled over the tryline, making his 400th first-class appearance one to remember. 🎙️ FULL STORY on JustPlainSport .com #JustPlainSport | #WillieLeRoux #BlueBulls #Rugby