Jean-Luc du Plessis loving life with Stormers

Having made his Stormers debut in 2016, Du Plessis has seen injuries hold him back at times over the years, so he appreciates each opportunity he gets.

He returned from a short spell in Japan last year and is keen to repay the faith that has been shown in him since he has been back in Cape Town.

"It has been fantastic for me. I have had my challenges with injuries over the span of my career, which hasn™t always made things easy," he told the Stormers website.

"Just to be back in and around, involved with this team, these players and this union is really amazing. I am so grateful for that.

"One of the great things about this squad is the depth and competition for places. As much as I am enjoying getting some proper game time, you always know that you have to be on your game and constantly improving. That's what this team demands and needs.

"It has been a great feeling for me and I am really enjoying being back at the Stormers and in the jersey."

Following two defeats on the road, the Stormers will be looking for a response this weekend against Munster and Du Plessis says that they will continue to back themselves.

"It's quite a long season so I don't think, at this stage, we are feeling the 'must-win' pressure," he continued.

"It's difficult to lose any game, but especially games where we felt we had opportunities to win. But we still have a lot of belief. It's easy for the team to stick together because there is that belief in the player group in the structures and systems that we have in place.

"We know that if we pull together and produce on Saturday then we should start coming away with wins. It's a driving force for us. We know we have enough in the room to get the job done."

Du Plessis has never played at Thomond Park in Limerick and is looking forward to the challenge that defending champions Munster will bring.

"Thomond Park is an amazing place to play rugby," Du Plessis said.

"I have heard a lot about the atmosphere and seen it on TV. So I am really, really looking forward to getting out there and experience the crowd, the field and the atmosphere for the first time.

"As a player, it is something that you relish. I am really excited."

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