du plessis made his super 14 debut in 2006 for the cheetahs. his 2007 super 14 campaign was hampered by an ankle injury. after recovering, he was selected for the springboks squad for the first time during the 2007 tri nations, making his debut in the starting xv on 7 july against australia during the boks' home leg. the match was significant for him in another way, as his younger brother bismarck made his boks debut as a substitute in the same match while he was still on the field. this made the du plessis brothers the 23rd set of brothers to earn springboks caps.