Midfield guru Du Plessis signs contract extension with Stormers: 'This team means a lot to me'

• Midfielder Dan du Plessis has signed a new deal with the Stormers, keeping him at the union until 2026.
• The 29-year-old has been at WP and the Stormers for his entire career.
• Other players who recently signed deals with the Stormers include young backline star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, lock JD Shickerling, and prop Steven Kitshoff.
• For more URC news, visit our dedicated section.

Centre Dan du Plessis is the latest player to commit his long-term future to the Stormers.

The Stormers announced on Thursday that Du Plessis has signed a contract extension that will keep him plying his trade in Cape Town until at least 2026.

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The 29-year-old boasts 64 Stormers caps and has been with the Cape franchise his entire career, having come through the ranks as an age-group star who represented Western Province at U16 and U18 level before moving into the senior squad.

Du Plessis comes from a family with a rich rugby heritage in the Western Province region, with his father Michael and uncles Carel and Willie all starring for the legendary WP team of the 1980s that won the Currie Cup five times in a row. His cousin Jean-Luc has also played 50 games for the Stormers.

Stormers director of rugby John Dobson welcomed the news of Du Plessis staying in the Cape.

"Dan's early career was blighted by some frustrating injuries, but we have seen his class shine through in recent seasons and we fully expect him to continue that upward trajectory.

"He is a natural ball-player who fits our game model perfectly and is exactly the type of player we are looking to produce and retain in our system.

"This extension gives Dan the opportunity to fulfil the potential that many have seen in him since his schoolboy days," Dobson said.

Du Plessis added: "I have been playing for the Stormers since 2016, this team means a lot to me and I am positive that there are even better times ahead of us.

"There is so much potential in this group under these coaches and I'm very happy to be a part of it going forward."

Du Plessis' contract extension is the latest in a number of new deals confirmed by the Stormers in recent weeks.

Other players who signed new deals with the Stormers include young backline star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, lock JD Shickerling, and prop Steven Kitshoff.