French Top 14 giants Montpellier have confirmed prop Jannie du Plessis will leave the club after being heavily linked with a move to the Lions.
Du Plessis looks likely to play for the Lions in next year’s Vodacom Super Rugby campaign as the Johannesburg franchise confirmed this week they were talking to the Bok tighthead.
The 37-year-old looks like he has played his final game for Montpellier after coming off the bench in their shock 23-20 loss to Connacht in the European Champions Cup this past weekend.
‘Another living legend bows out. He also delivered his last fight on Sunday. A huge thank you to Jannie du Plessis who has worn our colours with honour for more than four seasons,’ Montpellier tweeted.
Une autre légende vivante nous tire sa révérence… Lui aussi a livré son dernier combat sous la tunique bleue dimanche. Un immense merci à Jannie Du Plessis qui a porté nos couleurs avec honneur durant plus de 4 saisons. #MerciJannie #TEAMMHR pic.twitter.com/3QMeS4LzCa
— Montpellier Rugby (@MHR_officiel) November 19, 2019
News first broke of Du Plessis’ potential return to South Africa when Sunday newspaper Rapport reported the Springbok was in talks with the Lions, something the franchise later confirmed.
The Lions Rugby Company can confirm that they are in talks with prop Jannie du Plessis.#LionsPride pic.twitter.com/pYX0sjO8Z2
— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) November 18, 2019
Du Plessis spent eight years with the Sharks, making over 100 Super Rugby appearances for the Durban side, before departing for Montpellier in 2015, where he has been part of a strong South African contingent, including brother Bismarck, utility back Frans Steyn and flyhalf Johan Goosen.
Photo: Getty Images
