The true value of an 'ageless' Bismarck

Watching veteran Springbok Bismarck du Plessis charging down the wing like a teenager and producing a sublime one-handed offload was a timely reminder of why he played more than 70 Tests for South Africa and another 280 first-class games.

Du Plessis put on display his full array of skills in the Bulls 53-27 Currie Cup Round Five win over Griquas, one of several Boks who featured in Kimberley - Cornal Hendricks, Embrose Papier, Arno Botha, Marcell Coetzee, Lizo Gqoboka and Lionel Mapoe.

The Bulls have made no secret of the premium they have placed on retaining their Currie Cup title and players like Du Plessis are central to their cause.

The Bulls coach said the 37-year-old does not seem to be ageing.

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"He just showed his value with his experience," Smal told @rugby365com, adding: "Even at his age he is still playing some good rugby.

"He gives a lot of confidence to the players around him."

Smal added that they hope to have some additional senior players back from abroad.

"I don't know when that will happen.

"Maybe we can also keep some of our experienced players here in South Africa.

"We need them if we want to win [competitions like the] URC."

Smal was not willing to bet on possible play-off positions, despite the competition approaching the halfway stage.

"It is [too] early to say.

"Some of the teams might surprise us still.

"The three teams that are going to be very difficult to play against are the Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas," he said of the non-URC outfits - who are the least disrupted.

@king365ed

@rugby365com