Condolences pour in for Jannie du Plessis after his son’s death
The rugby community has expressed their shock and heartfelt condolences to Jannie du Plessis and his wife Ronel.
The family of former Springbok Jannie du Plessis is mourning the loss of his one-year-old toddler, Jan Nathaniël, who drowned yesterday.
The boy was baptised on Sunday while Du Plessis celebrated his 39th birthday yesterday.
Very little detail has been released.
CEO of Lions Rugby Union Pieter Burger , confirmed the incident and said the Lions family are stunned by the news.
“Our hearts go out to the family and we ask the public to give the family space during this time,” Burger said.
Meanwhile the rugby community has expressed their shock and heartfelt condolences to Jannie and his wife, Ronel.
Deeply saddened by the death of Jannie du Plessis' child. Tragic. My thoughts go out to him and his family … Sterkte!
— Tank Lanning (@TankLanning) November 17, 2021
On behalf of all at the UIM and its supporters and members, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Jannie Du Plessis and his family, on the sad loss of their son.
We have them in our prayers and no doubt our thoughts in this time.
NEIL DE BEER @UIMsouthafrica
— Neil De Beer (@DeNedebe1) November 17, 2021
@toksvdl "Please pray for Jannie du Plessis and his family. His son of 1 year old drown last night my hart is broken broken broken" – You are in our prayers. @SuperSportTV @kykNETtv So so sad. Please God don't let go of us, don't let us fall, heal us. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/p8c7pv6TlW
— JG (Johan) van Zyl ✍✝️ (@JGvanZyl_ZA) November 17, 2021
Rugby commentator and a dear friend of Du Plessis, Victor Matfield, said that Du Plessis lives for his family.
“I was shocked by the news. We as a rugby community are there for Du Plessis and his family. We pray for him and will keep the family in our thoughts. Losing a child is unthinkable,” Matfield said.
Toks van der Linde, another former Springbok, said that his heart is broken.
“Please pray for Jannie and his family.”
Please pray for jannie du Plessis and his family his son of 1 year old drown last night my hart is broken broken broken @SuperSportTV @kykNETtv #So so sad pic.twitter.com/pFwA2cSs2R
— Toks van der Linde (@toksvdl) November 17, 2021
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Mark Alexander, president of SA Rugby, said that the Du Plessis family are in their thoughts and prayers in this very difficult time.
“On behalf of the South African rugby family, our most sincere condolences go to Jannie, Ronel, their three children and family on this very sad day,” he said.
Well-known sports writer, André Bester, said that Du Plessis is an amazing father.
“I was devastated to hear about the loss of his son. It just once again shows you how precious life is and how a life can be taken away from you in a blink of an eye,” Bester said.
Du Plessis, who is also a qualified medical doctor, is on the verge of becoming the oldest player to ever play for the Transvaal or the Lions.
He has played 70 tests matches for the Boks and his 149 games in SuperRugby include 119 for the Sharks, 26 for the Cheetahs and five for the Lions.
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