Jean-Luc won't be put in a box
However, the 21-year-old pivot – the son of Springbok legend and former Bok coach Carel du Plessis – will carve his own niche in the game.
The young Du Plessis, who also have Michael and Willie du Plessis as uncles, said he understands that the pressure will be on him with such a esteemed bloodline.
Having been given his break this year – as a result of the Stoirmers flyhalf stocks reduced through injuries to Robert du Preez and Kurt Coleman – he will use the pressure as motivation.
"I'd be lying if I said there's absolutely no pressure," Jean-Luc du Plessis said.
"If you play at Super Rugby level there's gonna be pressure. You want to win week in and week out and there's going to be teams that test you," he added.
"However, I feel less pressure, because I'll have my father to sit me down and talk me through the game.
"The only pressure I feel is pressure I put on myself, but there's no pressure from the fact that previous bloodlines have played at this level.
"If anything, it actually serves as motivation."
Du Plessis, a player that embraces running rugby and the Stormers' new approach to the style, is also appreciative of the freedom the Stormers coaching staff give to their players.
"I enjoy the running game and building excitement for the crowd," he added.
"There's a time and a place for everything on the field, so it's important to get a good mix.
"There's a time to control the game and a time to slow it down, there's times when you have to play more tactically and times when you can express yourself and be more free.
"The coaching staff don't box you in, they allow every player to express yourself, but of course everyone knows what's expected of them."
After a less than satisfactory performance against the Reds last Saturday (despite the 40-22 winning margin), the Stormers host the Waratahs at Newlands on Saturday.
Forwards coach Russell Winter said the Australian franchise poses a big threat in the set pieces.
"The Waratahs have a very big forward pack and they'll have a good scrummaging unit, so we know we'll have to step up again," said Winter.
"Their line-out as well, they've got some tall timber there so we'll have to be clever and wise in the way we approach that.
"We'll plan correctly and make sure that everything's in place so that we can hopefully get another one."
Winter also confirmed that the side didn't sustain any serious injuries during last week's match.
"I think we're getting back to a good place with some of the guys coming back from long-term injuries.
"Juan [de Jongh] is fit again and I think Frans [Malherbe] will be back as well.
"So we should be able to choose from the squad that we had last week, so I think we'll be good for this week.
"Scarra [Siyabonga Ntubeni] should be back as well, but he still has to do some fitness tests this week, but he should be back."
@rugby365com
