Finding the net has never been a problem for NWU netball captain, Jessica du Plessis, whose sporting love has always been – and will always be – netball.
Du Plessis has been a part of the NWU set-up since 2016 and has gained numerous achievements during her time in Potch. Among them are a Varsity Netball winner’s medal, two USSA golds in 2017 and 2019 and making various USSA squads.
Furthermore, she has also represented her country at junior level as the SA u.20 captain and as a part of the SA u.21 and SA u.17 squads.
Naturally, the next step would be to represent the Proteas in the famous green and gold. What an honour it would be for Du Plessis, who has come a long way since her first steps on a netball court in the Northern Cape, at the age of six.

“I come from a sport-loving family, so, in school, it just made sense to start playing a few sports. Right away, netball was my favourite! We couldn’t yet play in Gr. 1 (at Newton Primary School in Kimberley), so we just had training and I officially played my very first game in the centre bib in Gr. 2,” explains Du Plessis, who has also starred at goal attack for the NWU.

She names her Gr. 2 teacher, Mrs De Beer, as a key influence early on and, looking at international players, lists Pamela Cookey, Maria Folau and Natalie Medhurst as her current inspiration.
“She (Mrs De Beer) believed in me so much and constantly convinced my parents that I was a very good player. My parents also inspired me always to give my best and never doubt myself while playing. They never knew a lot about netball back then, but still encouraged me and believed in me. They never missed a game or tournament, no matter where it was,” adds Du Plessis.
Her favourite netball memories coincide with travelling and representing NWU in her first Varsity Netball match and 2017 final.
“I was ecstatic. It’s such a presti-gious achievement to be able to play at that level and represent your university. It was even more special because we were a handful of first-years who got to participate. Sharing such a tournament with other girls in your age group is pretty special. That 2017 campaign was one of my favourites. It was also a privilege to be part of the tournament we won in my first year. Even though I didn’t play in that final, it was still an honour to be part of the squad,” remembers Du Plessis of her 2016 adventure.

Now, in 2020, Du Plessis holds a vital leadership role as the captain of the team, alongside a couple of senior players. She admits that it is a challenging task but something she enjoys.
“We have a leadership group that consists of four senior players – myself, Didintle Keebine, Anelda Jacobs and Caitlinn Rousseau. Within our leadership group, it’s a job made easier. Not all the pres- sure is on one person and, maybe, they understand certain people better than me.
This way, we learn from and lean on one another and always have each other’s backs. My favourite part of being the captain is being able to communicate with the girls and seeing how a team comes together once everyone understands each other.”
Next up on the horizon for Du Plessis would be to complete her honours degree in sports science and, if given the opportunity, experience netball in overseas leagues.
Home is where the heart is for Du Plessis, though. She still recalls her SA call-up to the u.21 squad and leading her country to the Region 5 games title in SA u.20 colours.
Victory is the end goal for Du Plessis, but she also knows that every step to success has a starting point.
“My favourite aspect of netball is the teamwork before a season starts. We might not all be on the same page at the beginning of a season, but we all end up together in the end – it’s not how we start, but how we finish.”
It might just be a matter of time before we see this talented netball player finishing her career as a respected Proteas netball player.