Rugby legend Jannie du Plessis’ one-year-old son drowns in pool

Rugby legend Jannie du Plessis’ one-year-old son drowned in a pool as the South African World Cup winner celebrated his 39th birthday yesterday. 

The tragedy happened on du Plessis’ birthday, November 16, just two days after the child was christened on Sunday, du Plessis’ friend and former Springbok player Albert ‘Toks’ van der Linde said. 

The couple have two other children, daughters Rosalie and Hele, and are believed to live on his childhood farm outside Bethlehem in northern South Africa after moving back there from Johannesburg during the pandemic.  

van der Linde tweeted a picture of du Plessis with his wife Ronel and late son and said: ‘Please pray for Jannie du Plessis and his family. His son of one year old drowned last night, my heart is broken broken broken. So so sad.’  

Jannie du Plessis was capped 70 times for South Africa and was part of the 2007 World Cup winning squad (pictured left with the trophy)

Former Springbok Rudolf Straeuli confirmed the news this morning, telling Sport24: ‘We, as a Lions family, aren’t doing well. I can confirm that this tragedy took place. We are all devastated.’

He later added: ‘As I’m sure everyone can understand, Jannie and his family now need to be left alone to process this tragedy. 

‘We offer our full support to him and kindly request everyone to keep them in their thoughts and prayers.’   

Jannie and Ronel du Plessis have have two other children, daughters Rosalie (right) and Hele (left)

Du Plessis’ former club also sent their ‘deepest condolences to Jannie, Ronel and the entire du Plessis family on the tragic loss of his young son.’  

A spokesperson for the club said: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.’

Speaking last year about life on the Bethlehem farm where he grew up, du Plessis said his childhood was ‘isolated’ but ‘care-free’.

‘I remember the cold winters and the moderate summers. Farm life has its own charm,’ he told Food For Mzansi.   

The tighthead prop, a qualified doctor, was part of South Africa’s 2007 Rugby World Cup winning squad alongside younger brother Bismarck and has been capped 70 times by his country. 

Du Plessis (pictured playing against England in November 2008) was part of South Africa’s 2007 Rugby World Cup winning squad alongside younger brother Bismarck