Wikipedia

Jean-Luc du Preez

Not to be confused with Jean-Luc du Plessis.

Jean-Luc du Preez (born 5 August 1995 is a South African rugby union player for Sale Sharks in the English Premiership.[2] He made his debut for South Africa in 2016 and his regular position is flanker, although he also plays at lock and number eight.

Jean-Luc du Preez
Date of birth (1995-08-05) 5 August 1995 (age 29)
Place of birthDurban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Height1.94 m (6 ft 4+1⁄2 in)
Weight113 kg (17 st 11 lb; 249 lb)
SchoolDurban Preparatory High School Kearsney College, Botha's Hill
UniversitySharks Academy
Notable relative(s)Robert du Preez (father),
Robert du Preez (brother),
Dan du Preez (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loose forward / Lock
Current team Sale Sharks
Youth career
2008–2015 Sharks
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015 Sharks XV 4 (0)
2015–2018 Sharks (Currie Cup) 18 (10)
2015–2019 Sharks 46 (30)
2018– Sale Sharks 104 (80)
Correct as of 20 May 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–2013 South Africa Schools 5 (5)
2014–2015 South Africa U20 8 (0)
2016, 2021 South Africa A 5 (5)
2016 Springbok XV[a] 1 (0)
2016–2018 South Africa 14 (10)
Correct as of 23 June 2018

Early life

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He was born in Durban. He is the son of former Sharks coach and South Africa player Robert du Preez, and the brother of teammates Robert du Preez and Dan du Preez.

Career

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Youth

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Du Preez was selected in a number of KwaZulu-Natal youth squads whilst still at school. At primary school level, he was selected for their squad that played at the 2008 Under-13 Craven Week competition. He also played in the premier schools competition in South Africa – the Under-18 Craven Week in three different seasons; he made two appearances at the 2011 event in Kimberley, three appearances at the 2012 event in Port Elizabeth and a further three appearances in 2013, scoring two tries in their match against Border.[3]

In both 2012 and 2013, Du Preez was selected to represent a South African Schools team. In 2012, he played in their matches against France,[4] Wales[5] and England[6] and in 2013 he made appearances against France[7] and Wales, in which game he also scored a try.[8]

In 2014, he was included in the South Africa Under-20 squad that played at the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship in New Zealand. He played off the bench in their 61–5 victory over Scotland[9] and started their next match against hosts New Zealand, helping South Africa to a 33–24 win.[10] He sustained a blow to the head during the match[11] and missed their final pool match against Samoa[12] and their 32–25 semi-final match against New Zealand.[13] He recovered in time for the final against England and played off the bench just after half-time, but could not prevent South Africa losing the match 20–21 to finish the competition as runners-up.[14]

He returned to domestic action to play a key part in the Sharks U19 side that played in the 2014 Under-19 Provincial Championship; he made twelve appearances and scored tries a total of seven tries,[15] including two in their match against Golden Lions U19,[16] to help them qualify for the semi-finals, where they lost 20–43 to the Blue Bulls U19s.[17]

In 2015, he was again named in a 37-man training squad for the South Africa national under-20 rugby union team[18] and started for them in a friendly match against a Varsity Cup Dream Team in April 2015.[19] He was included in the squad that embarked on a two-match tour of Argentina.[20] He didn't feature in their 25–22 victory over Argentina,[21] but started their 39–28 victory a few days later.[22]

Upon the team's return, he was named in the final squad for the 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.[23] He started all three of their matches in Pool B of the competition; a 33–5 win against hosts Italy,[24] a 40–8 win against Samoa[25] and a 46–13 win over Australia[26] to help South Africa finish top of Pool B to qualify for the semi-finals with the best record pool stage of all the teams in the competition. Du Preez started their semi-final match against England, but could not prevent them losing 20–28 to be eliminated from the competition by England for the second year in succession.[27] He played off the bench in their third-place play-off match against France, helping South Africa to a 31–18 win to secure third place in the competition.[28]

Sharks

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Du Preez made his provincial first class debut on 21 March 2015, starting the match for the Sharks XV in their 53–0 victory over the Border Bulldogs in the opening match of the 2015 Vodacom Cup competition.[29] He also started their matches against Free State XV[30] and Boland Cavaliers[31] and played off the bench against the SWD Eagles.[31]

Sale Sharks

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In November 2018, he joined the Sale Sharks on loan until February 2019.[32] He made six appearances and scored one try during his loan spell,[33] which was cut short after he picked up an injury in their match against Gloucester.[34] On 18 July 2019, Sale announced that Du Preez and his brother Daniel du Preez had signed permanent deals with the club.[35] He went on to make 27 appearances for Sale Sharks in the 2019-20 season, scoring tries against Bath in the Gallagher Premiership and La Rochelle in the Champions Cup. At the end of the 2019-20 season Du Preez won the Premiership Rugby Cup with Sale, starting in the final which saw Sale defeat Harlequins 27-19[36]

Du Preez made frequent appearances for Sale in the 2020-21 season, playing for the club 21 times and scoring tries against Northampton Saints and Harlequins.[37] He also featuring in Sale's Champions Cups quarter final defeat to La Rochelle.[38] At the conclusion of the season Sale made their first appearance in the playoffs since the 2005-6 season,[39] with Du Preez starting in Sale's 40-30 semi-final defeat to Exeter Chiefs.[40]

He made 25 appearances in the 2021-22 season, scoring 4 tries in the Premiership and 2 in the Champion's Cup. In October 2022 he extended his contract at Sale until 2026.[41] During the 2022-23 season, Du Preez started in Sale's 35-25 Premiership Final defeat to Saracens.[42]

South Africa

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In 2016, Du Preez was included in a South Africa 'A' squad that played a two-match series against a touring England Saxons team.[43] He came on as a replacement in their first match in Bloemfontein,[44] but ended on the losing side as the visitors ran out 32–24 winners.[45] He then started the second match of the series, scoring the home team's first try in a 26–29 defeat to the Saxons in George.[46]

He was included in the South Africa squad for the 2016 Autumn Internationals on the 22 October 2016.[47] He made his first appearance in a non-capped game for South Africa XV against the Barbarians, which ended in a 31-31 draw.[48] His first international cap came in an appearance off of the bench against Wales on the 26 November 2016.[49]

Du Preez was initially called up to the South Africa 'A' for the 2017 mid-year rugby union internationals, with two matches scheduled against the French Barbarians.[50] He was then called up to the main Springbok squad on the 27 May 2017.[51] Du Preez featured in all three tests in the series, coming off the bench in the first two and starting in the final test. South Africa won the test series 3-0.[52][53][54]

He was named in the squad for the 2017 Rugby Championship on the 5 August 2017.[55] He played all 5 games for South Africa in the tournament, scoring tries in South Africa's win against Argentina in Salta and in a close loss against New Zealand.[56][57] The only game which Du Preez started was a heavy 57-0 loss to New Zealand.[57] A fractured ankle ruled him out of the 2017 end-of-year rugby union internationals.[58]

He was named in the squad for the 2018 England tour of South Africa.[59] Du Preez started the first test against England, which South Africa won 42-39.[60] He came off the bench in the other two tests in the series, which South Africa won 2-1.[61]

On the 5 June 2021 Du Preez was named as part of the South Africa squad for the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.[62] He made one appearance during the tour, starting for South Africa 'A' in a 14-17 loss to the Bulls. He was then released from the squad before then first test match against the Lions.[63] He was recalled to the South Africa squad for the 2021 Rugby Championship on the 15 August but did not feature in any of the matches during the tournament.[64]

Du Preez was named as part of the South Africa 'A' squad which would play Munster during the 2022 end-of-year rugby union internationals.[65] He started the South Africa 'A' matches against Munster and Bristol Bears, losing both matches.

In June 2023 he was named as part of the 40 man training squad for the 2023 Rugby Championship.[66]

International tries

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As of 19 November 2021 [67]
Try Opposing team Location Venue Competition Date Result Score
1   Argentina Salta, Argentina Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena 2017 Rugby Championship 26 August 2017 Win 23 –41
2   New Zealand Cape Town, South Africa Newlands Stadium 2017 Rugby Championship 7 October 2017 Loss 24 – 25

Notes

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  1. ^ In addition to playing in test matches, Du Preez also played for a Springbok XV that played against the Barbarians in London in November 2016. The South African Rugby Union did not award this match tour match status and no caps were awarded to players that appeared in this match.[1]

References

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  1. ^ South African Rugby Annual 2017. South African Rugby Union. 2017. pp. 172–173. ISBN 978-0-620-74427-0.
  2. ^ "SA Rugby Player Profile – Jean-Luc du Preez". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  3. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Border 14–77 KwaZulu Natal". South African Rugby Union. 13 July 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  4. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 17–7 France". South African Rugby Union. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  5. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 24–16 Wales". South African Rugby Union. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  6. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 36–29 England". South African Rugby Union. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  7. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 17–13 France". South African Rugby Union. 13 August 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  8. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 14–13 Wales". South African Rugby Union. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  9. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 61–5 Scotland". South African Rugby Union. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  10. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – New Zealand 24–33 South Africa". South African Rugby Union. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  11. ^ "Junior Boks call on reinforcements". Rugby365. 7 June 2014. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  12. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Samoa 8–21 South Africa". South African Rugby Union. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  13. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 32–25 New Zealand". South African Rugby Union. 15 June 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  14. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – England 21–20 South Africa". South African Rugby Union. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  15. ^ "SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2014 Absa Under 19 Competition". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  16. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Golden Lions U19 41–36 Sharks U19". South African Rugby Union. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  17. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Blue Bulls U19 43–20 Sharks U19". South African Rugby Union. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  18. ^ "Junior Bok training squad confirmed". South African Rugby Union. 4 April 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  19. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Varsity Cup XV 24–31 South Africa U/20". South African Rugby Union. 21 April 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  20. ^ "SARU names Junior Bok squad for Argentine tour". South African Rugby Union. 29 April 2015. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  21. ^ "Los Pumitas cayeron ante Baby Boks por 25 a 22". Unión Argentina de Rugby (in Spanish). 12 May 2015. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  22. ^ "Los Pumitas cayeron ante Baby Boks por 39 a 28". Unión Argentina de Rugby (in Spanish). 16 May 2015. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  23. ^ "Liebenberg to lead Junior Boks at U20 World Championship in Italy". South African Rugby Union. 20 May 2015. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  24. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Italy U20 5–33 South Africa U20". South African Rugby Union. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  25. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa U20 40–8 Samoa U20". South African Rugby Union. 6 June 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  26. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa U20 46–13 Australia U20". South African Rugby Union. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  27. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa U20 20–28 England U20". South African Rugby Union. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  28. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – France U20 18–31 South Africa U20". South African Rugby Union. 20 June 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  29. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Cell C Sharks XV 53–0 Border Bulldogs". South African Rugby Union. 21 March 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  30. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Cell C Sharks XV 18–35 Toyota Free State XV". South African Rugby Union. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  31. ^ a b "SA Rugby Match Centre – Cell C Sharks XV 52–12 Boland Cavaliers". South African Rugby Union. 25 April 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  32. ^ "Sale Sharks Sign Jean Luc Du Preez" (Press release). Sale Sharks. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  33. ^ "Sale Sharks | Jean-Luc Du Preez". Sale Sharks. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  34. ^ @SaleSharksRugby (3 January 2019). "THANK YOU | @Jeanluc_7 is heading back to South Africa this weekend after picking up an injury on Saturday at Kingsholm! It's been a pleasure JL 👊 Good luck with Super Rugby this year and we might just see you after! The #SharksFamily will be watching! #SharksByNature" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 January 2019 – via Twitter.
  35. ^ "SALE SHARKS AGREE PERMANENT DEALS WITH JEAN-LUC AND DANIEL DU PREEZ". Sale Sharks. 18 July 2019. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  36. ^ "Sharks beat Quins to win Premiership Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  37. ^ "Jean-Luc Du Preez". Sale Sharks. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  38. ^ "Sale knocked out of Champions Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  39. ^ "Sale beat Bristol to make play-offs". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  40. ^ "Exeter beat Sale to book Quins final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  41. ^ "Sale's Du Preez twins sign new contracts until 2026". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  42. ^ "Jean-Luc DU PREEZ profile and stats". all.rugby. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  43. ^ "Ackermann to coach SA 'A' against Saxons". South African Rugby Union. 28 May 2016. Archived from the original on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  44. ^ "Youth and experience for SA 'A' opener against Saxons". South African Rugby Union. 8 June 2016. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  45. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa "A" 24–32 England Saxons". South African Rugby Union. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  46. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa "A" 26–29 England Saxons". South African Rugby Union. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  47. ^ "Morne Steyn dropped by South Africa for autumn internationals". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  48. ^ "Barbarians cut a dash but callow South Africa gain little from Wembley draw". the Guardian. 6 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  49. ^ "Wales 27-13 South Africa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  50. ^ "Strong SA 'A' squad named for French Barbarian series". ECR. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  51. ^ Mohamed, Ashfak. "Jean-Luc du Preez gets belated Bok call". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  52. ^ "South Africa 37-14 France: Springboks triumph in first Test in Pretoria". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  53. ^ "South Africa 37-15 France: Springboks seal series victory". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  54. ^ "South Africa 35-12 France: Springboks end Ellis Park France jinx with win and series whitewash". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  55. ^ "SA Rugby - Official Home of the Springboks". 6 August 2017. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  56. ^ "Rugby Championship: South Africa punish Argentina's indiscipline with 41-23 win". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  57. ^ a b "South Africa 24-25 New Zealand: All Blacks hold off gutsy Springboks". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  58. ^ OFM. "Jean-Luc du Preez ruled out of Springbok tour". OFM. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  59. ^ "SA Rugby - Official Home of the Springboks". 20 September 2018. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  60. ^ "South Africa 42-39 England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  61. ^ "South Africa 10-25 England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  62. ^ "Castle Lager Lions Series - South Africa name squad for Castle Lager Lions Series". Castle Lager Lions Series. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  63. ^ on, Published (21 July 2021). "Bok squad trimmed, Du Preez twins among 10 released players". SA Rugby magazine. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  64. ^ Lambley, Garrin (15 August 2021). "Springbok latest news: Jean-Luc du Preez called BACK into squad". The South African. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  65. ^ "Stick names 14 Boks in South Africa 'A' team to face Munster". SA Rugby. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  66. ^ "Nienaber names Rugby Champs training squad". 10 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  67. ^ "Jean-Luc du Preez". 19 November 2021.
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