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JP du Plessis is a stranger in a strange land. He's also playing a strange game.
Until a few months ago, the only thing du Plessis knew about rugby league was what he saw on the internet.
Yet, if the Sydney Roosters have their way, this deeply religious 18-year-old could become a trailblazer, the first of many South African teenagers to swap rugby union in their homeland for the NRL.
"When they (the Roosters) came over to me and said do you want to go and play league in Australia, at first I thought they were talking about AFL because I have never seen league before," said du Plessis, who will play for the Roosters' under-20s side against South Sydney tomorrow at ANZ Stadium. "Then I went on to Google and searched a few clips. And I liked it a lot."
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Du Plessis was a schoolboy star in South Africa. Super 14 beckoned had he stayed at home.
One of his former coaches claimed he was a future Springbok. Then Sydney Roosters recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan came knocking. Credited with discovering Greg Inglis and Israel Folau among others, he was keen to tap into new markets in his search for talent. "I'd never heard of NRL before," du Plessis said. "It is very small in South Africa. The first time I heard about league was when Peter O'Sullivan came over to me and said `do you want to play'." Du Plessis sat down with his parents to weigh up the pros and cons of the offer. Although he attended boarding school more than 300km from the family home, this was something different. It meant packing up and moving to another country. Not only that, he would need to learn another sport.
"It was a massive decision," he said. "I went to my dad and we looked at all the positives and negatives of both decisions. I felt I could always go back and play union in my life whenever I wanted to, but I will never get the opportunity to learn more about league again. When I saw the game I reckon it was more my type of rugby -- more attacking rugby and running rugby than union, which is more a kicking game, a more structured game.
"It was more about the type of rugby that convinced me and the fact I can always go back to union.
"I left my family and a future in union back there. I'm always keen for a new challenge and a new environment, meet new people and see new faces, learning a new game. That's all exciting."
His decision created a backlash in South Africa. Rugby league scouts were suddenly the enemy.
"They were pretty angry," du Plessis said. "It was pretty bad. The media reckon Australia is stealing the talent of union. But it was my decision. You can't blame Australia or anyone. There's a whole world out there and I want to experience other stuff. I left on a good note so I reckon anytime I want to go back and play union, they will allow me."
Du Plessis, who scored two tries with his first two touches against Atherton in the Roosters' opening trial last month, hasn't looked back. To help with the transition, he has moved into the home of former Wallabies and South African assistant coach Tim Lane on Sydney's northern beaches.
On the advice of O'Sullivan, du Plessis has also studied video of several current and former NRL stars, including Sonny Bill Williams, Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston. Teammates Liam Foran, Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney have taken him under their wing. His goals for this season are modest.
For starters, he simply wants to learn the game which has prompted him to leave his family and friends in South Africa.
"It's obviously always a goal to play top grade," said du Plessis.
"If it's not you shouldn't even play. I am going to take it step-by-step. I still have a lot to learn, I have a lot to catch up on.
"But it's my goal to play first grade. Until then I'll be patient and do all I can." Long-term, he can see other South Africans following in his footsteps.
The Roosters have signed another teenager and more are expected to make the switch. Melbourne officials also plan to extend their forays into South Africa this year.
"If I can be successful in the decision I made I can definitely convince more players to convert over to league," he said. "I'm the first guy to come from school and play league from South Africa. I'm taking the first step so hopefully more will follow."
JP du Plessis is a stranger in a strange land. He's also playing a strange game.
Until a few months ago, the only thing du Plessis knew about rugby league was what he saw on the internet.
Yet, if the Sydney Roosters have their way, this deeply religious 18-year-old could become a trailblazer, the first of many South African teenagers to swap rugby union in their homeland for the NRL.
"When they (the Roosters) came over to me and said do you want to go and play league in Australia, at first I thought they were talking about AFL because I have never seen league before," said du Plessis, who will play for the Roosters' under-20s side against South Sydney tomorrow at ANZ Stadium. "Then I went on to Google and searched a few clips. And I liked it a lot."
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
Du Plessis was a schoolboy star in South Africa. Super 14 beckoned had he stayed at home.
One of his former coaches claimed he was a future Springbok. Then Sydney Roosters recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan came knocking. Credited with discovering Greg Inglis and Israel Folau among others, he was keen to tap into new markets in his search for talent. "I'd never heard of NRL before," du Plessis said. "It is very small in South Africa. The first time I heard about league was when Peter O'Sullivan came over to me and said `do you want to play'." Du Plessis sat down with his parents to weigh up the pros and cons of the offer. Although he attended boarding school more than 300km from the family home, this was something different. It meant packing up and moving to another country. Not only that, he would need to learn another sport.
"It was a massive decision," he said. "I went to my dad and we looked at all the positives and negatives of both decisions. I felt I could always go back and play union in my life whenever I wanted to, but I will never get the opportunity to learn more about league again. When I saw the game I reckon it was more my type of rugby -- more attacking rugby and running rugby than union, which is more a kicking game, a more structured game.
"It was more about the type of rugby that convinced me and the fact I can always go back to union.
"I left my family and a future in union back there. I'm always keen for a new challenge and a new environment, meet new people and see new faces, learning a new game. That's all exciting."
His decision created a backlash in South Africa. Rugby league scouts were suddenly the enemy.
"They were pretty angry," du Plessis said. "It was pretty bad. The media reckon Australia is stealing the talent of union. But it was my decision. You can't blame Australia or anyone. There's a whole world out there and I want to experience other stuff. I left on a good note so I reckon anytime I want to go back and play union, they will allow me."
Du Plessis, who scored two tries with his first two touches against Atherton in the Roosters' opening trial last month, hasn't looked back. To help with the transition, he has moved into the home of former Wallabies and South African assistant coach Tim Lane on Sydney's northern beaches.
On the advice of O'Sullivan, du Plessis has also studied video of several current and former NRL stars, including Sonny Bill Williams, Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston. Teammates Liam Foran, Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney have taken him under their wing. His goals for this season are modest.
For starters, he simply wants to learn the game which has prompted him to leave his family and friends in South Africa.
"It's obviously always a goal to play top grade," said du Plessis.
"If it's not you shouldn't even play. I am going to take it step-by-step. I still have a lot to learn, I have a lot to catch up on.
"But it's my goal to play first grade. Until then I'll be patient and do all I can." Long-term, he can see other South Africans following in his footsteps.
The Roosters have signed another teenager and more are expected to make the switch. Melbourne officials also plan to extend their forays into South Africa this year.
"If I can be successful in the decision I made I can definitely convince more players to convert over to league," he said. "I'm the first guy to come from school and play league from South Africa. I'm taking the first step so hopefully more will follow."
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