Former Springbok prop Jannie du Plessis has extended his stay with French Top 14 club Montpellier as a medical joker during the World Cup.

Du Plessis, who joined Montpellier from the Sharks in 2015, will provide cover for the club’s France internationals while the World Cup takes place between September and November.

‘Jannie du Plessis, an international Springbok at the club from 2015, will be hired as a World Cup joker. In parallel, he will continue to carry out his missions within the training centre,’ a statement by the club read.

The 36-year-old played 70 Tests for the Boks between 2007 and 2015. He was set to end his tenure at Montpellier and continue with his venture into coaching with the club’s Espoir team.

Montpellier added that All Blacks flyhalf Aaron Cruden will also stay on as a medical joker until after the World Cup.

Cruden was linked with a potential return to New Zealand, with the Hurricanes, who will lose Beauden Barrett to the Blues, looking like his most likely destination.

Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images