14th August 2024
The stars have aligned to create a unique weekend in Perth. The Springboks take on Australia in their second Rugby Championship clash at Optus Stadium on Saturday evening local time. Meanwhile, just 5km down the road, du Plessis is headlining UFC 305 with a title fight against the mercurial Israel Adesanya on Sunday afternoon.
Du Plessis is a huge fan of the Springboks, having been a flag bearer at a Rugby Championship fixture at Emirates Airline Park in 2022 and was in the stands for the Rugby World Cup final win over New Zealand in Paris.
Now, it looks like the Boks are set to return the favour.
Speaking to KFM breakfast show host Darren Simpson this week, the UFC champion confirmed that a couple of Bok heavyweights will accompany him to the octagon in a walk-out for the ages.
"We're busy with that, getting Eben and Siya to walk out with us, it looks like it's basically going to be a done deal," said the 30-year-old.
"We are going to have them walk out with me. They won't be sitting in the corner, but they will be walking with me to the octagon, which is pretty special.
"The Boks are playing, they are the pride of South Africa, and then I'm fighting, all on the same weekend. Talk about stars aligning.
"Once I put that South African flag around my shoulders, there is nothing in the world that can stop me. He can knock me down, but he won't knock me out and he won't keep me down."