University of Johannesburg striker Lilian du Plessis (right) in action against Wits during this year’s Varsity Hockey tournament. Photo: Saspa.
The University of Johannesburg’s national hockey star Lilian du Plessis will be aiming to round off a stellar local season at next week’s interprovincial tournament in Potchefstroom before rejoining Belgium-based KHC Dragons in September.
Striker Du Plessis, who has been a fixture in the South African senior women’s team since 2012, will be a key figure in the Southern Gauteng A-side attack for the weeklong tournament, which starts on August 23.
Earlier this season, the 22-year-old education student was a standout player at the Varsity Hockey and University Sport South Africa tournaments, helping her institution to the overall honours in both.
In the former competition, Du Plessis was twice named player of the match and claimed the super striker award in the semifinals.
She also walked away with the Ussa player of the tournament and top goal scorer awards.
“I’m very happy with the season thus far,” said Du Plessis.
“I have been lucky enough to score some goals which have helped with my personal achievements but I can honestly say that we play as a team and we make each other look good – and that is extremely rare.
She said the effort from the players, coaching staff and management had contributed to a successful season.
“We went into Varsity Hockey as the underdogs and finished the victors. I still smile thinking about it. I’m so proud of my team.”
The Emmarentia resident said UJ’s on-going successes had confirmed the institution’s reputation as SA’s top hockey-playing university for women.
“We are continually learning and growing stronger. Our coaches Rob van Ginkel and Ricky West are both incredible and I have learnt a lot from both since playing for UJ.”
It is Du Plessis’s first year for the institution after spending most of last year overseas preparing for various international tournaments.
She first grabbed the national selectors’ attention as a Grade 12 learner at St Mary’s School, Waverley, where she was coached by the likes of hockey legend Ros Howell.
Du Plessis rose through the ranks from the U18 to U21 level and got her first call-up to the senior side after her performance at the junior world cup qualifying tournament.
She made her senior debut as a 19-year-old at the Champions Challenge in Ireland and since then has donned the green and gold at high profile events such as the Hockey World Cup and Commonwealth Games.
Her Olympic ambitions received a knock at the world league semifinals in June, where the SA ladies lost their chance to automatically qualify for the Olympics.
“I understand that it is not yet definite that we won’t be going to Rio but unfortunately the final decision doesn’t lie in our hands.”
For now, Du Plessis has the African Cup qualifier in Egypt in October to focus her energies on and will also return to her European club with UJ teammates Robyn Johnson and Tarryn Mallett.
“I’m part of the biggest and one of the best clubs in Belgium. I’ve played two full seasons, which run from September to November and from March to mid-May, breaking for three months in the European winter.”
Du Plessis said she had learned to become more versatile field and to listen more, as the language barrier could be a problem at times.
“I ask questions if I don’t understand as I don’t want to be someone not understanding the game plan when I step onto the field.”
Known for her mean drag flick, she said her greatest strengths were her speed on the ball and also her backhand goal shot.
“I hate losing and that fuels me mentally. I often write G.I.A. – give it all – on my hand to remind me that I can always give more.”
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