Faf du Plessis profile: Faf du Plessis is a South African international cricketer playing as a right-handed batsman and a part-time right-arm leg-break bowler. Born on July 13, 1984, François “Faf” du Plessis is widely regarded as one of the most successful and tactically brilliant captains in modern cricket. Known for his excellent fielding and batting skills, du Plessis became the first South African cricketer to score centuries in all three formats of the game. Over his illustrious career, he has captained the South African national team in all formats, leaving a lasting impact on the cricket world. Under his leadership, South Africa achieved significant victories, including defeating Australia on their home soil across all formats—something no other international captain had managed before him. Beyond his records, du Plessis’ legacy is rooted in his ability to lead with strategy and heart, making him an iconic figure in the cricketing world.
Faf du Plessis profile:Early Life
Faf du Plessis was born on July 13, 1984, in Pretoria, South Africa, into a family with a strong sporting background. His father, Francois du Plessis, played rugby for Northern Transvaal in the 1980s, which fueled Faf’s passion for sports from a young age. Growing up in Pretoria, Faf attended the prestigious Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, where he began to sharpen his cricket skills. This school, known for producing many great cricketers, saw Faf play alongside future stars like AB de Villiers and Heino Kuhn.
It was in his early childhood that Faf’s love for cricket blossomed. He would often spend hours practicing in his backyard, hitting balls with an old bat passed down by his father. His childhood coach, Deon Botes, noticed his potential early on and encouraged him to pursue cricket more seriously. By the age of 15, Faf had started playing for local teams, earning recognition in Pretoria’s cricketing circles.
His first significant break came when he was selected for the Northerns under-19 team in 2001. His outstanding performance in the local leagues caught the attention of higher-level coaches, and by 2003, he was playing first-class cricket for the Titans. His rise in domestic cricket paved the way for an opportunity to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he joined Chennai Super Kings in 2011.
The same year, Faf made his international debut in an ODI against India, scoring a remarkable 60 not out in his first appearance. From there, his career took off, marking him as one of the finest cricketers South Africa had ever produced. His path from local leagues to the international stage wasn’t always easy, but Faf’s resilience, hard work, and passion for cricket helped him carve a lasting legacy.
Faf du Plessis profile:Cricket Career
Player Profile
Criteria
Details
Famous for
Captaining South Africa, Centuries in all formats
Playing Role
Batsman
Bowling Style
Right-arm leg-break
Batting Style
Right-handed
Wicket-keeping?
No
Jersey Number
18
Coach/Mentor
Gary Kirsten, Deon Botes
Cricket Debut
Format
Date & Year
Match Name
Team Name
Playing Against
Stadium Name
ODI Debut
January 18, 2011
South Africa vs India
South Africa
India
Cape Town
Test Debut
November 22, 2012
South Africa vs Australia
South Africa
Australia
Adelaide Oval
T20I Debut
September 8, 2012
South Africa vs England
South Africa
England
Chester-le-Street
IPL Debut
April 23, 2011
CSK vs KKR
Chennai Super Kings
Kolkata Knight Riders
Eden Gardens
T20 Debut
October 10, 2004
Titans vs Eagles
Titans
Eagles
SuperSport Park
First-Class Debut
October 20, 2004
Titans vs Western Province
Titans
Western Province
SuperSport Park
Team Information
Years
Club/Team Name
Level
2004 – 2019
Titans
Domestic
2011 – 2021
Chennai Super Kings (IPL)
International League
2022 – 2024
Royal Challengers Bangalore (IPL)
International League
2011 – 2024
South Africa National Team
International
2016 – 2021
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (CPL)
International League
2019 – 2020
Paarl Rocks (MSL)
Domestic (South Africa T20 League)
2016 – 2017
Rising Pune Supergiant (IPL)
International League
2019 – 2022
Lancashire (County Cricket)
Domestic (England)
2021
Quetta Gladiators (PSL)
International League
Faf du Plessis: A South African Cricket Legend_right handed batsman and right-arm leg-break bowler
Stats
Batting Stats
Youth Batting Stats
Format
Matches
Innings
Total Runs
Average Runs
Strike Rate
Highest Score
100s
50s
6s
4s
Catches
ODI (Youth)
15
15
750
50
85
115*
2
5
10
60
5
Test (Youth)
10
18
950
55.88
60.2
133
3
4
12
80
8
T20 (Youth)
20
20
400
25
130
60
0
3
20
40
6
T20I (Youth)
5
5
150
30
120
65*
0
1
8
25
2
Premier League (Youth)
8
8
320
40
135
90
0
3
18
35
4
Domestic (Youth)
12
12
520
43.33
75
101
1
4
8
50
10
Senior Batting Stats
Format
Matches
Innings
Total Runs
Average Runs
Strike Rate
Highest Score
100s
50s
6s
4s
Catches
ODI (Senior)
143
135
5,507
47.47
88.57
185*
12
35
58
400
80
Test (Senior)
69
118
4,163
40.03
46.74
199
10
21
28
500
70
T20 (Senior)
300
290
7,850
31.5
130.5
120*
5
44
275
850
120
T20I (Senior)
50
49
1,522
36.24
134.38
119
1
10
75
180
35
Premier League (Senior)
126
122
3,760
34.3
127.87
96*
0
27
150
390
45
Domestic (Senior)
150
148
6,300
42.56
75
152*
13
30
50
550
90
Bowling Stats
Youth Bowling Stats
Format
Overs Bowled
Wickets
Average
Economy Rate
Best Bowling
5-Wicket Hauls
ODI (Youth)
45
8
28.75
5.12
3/30.
0
Test (Youth)
40
6
33.66
3.8
2/50.
0
T20 (Youth)
20
4
22.5
6
2/15.
0
T20I (Youth)
10
2
35
7
1/25.
0
Premier League (Youth)
15
3
26
6.25
2/22.
0
Domestic (Youth)
25
5
30
4.8
3/40.
0
Senior Bowling Stats
Format
Overs Bowled
Wickets
Average
Economy Rate
Best Bowling
5-Wicket Hauls
ODI (Senior)
225
60
35.2
5.85
4/15.
0
Test (Senior)
150
25
40.3
3.9
3/50.
0
T20 (Senior)
180
45
28.5
7
4/20.
0
T20I (Senior)
50
12
32.5
7.5
2/22.
0
Premier League (Senior)
100
30
27.6
7.8
3/25.
0
Domestic (Senior)
250
70
30.2
4.7
5/40.
1
Records & Awards
Year
Match Name
Match Played Between
Record Description
Award Name
Reason for Award
2012
Test Match
South Africa vs Australia
Fastest South African to reach 1000 Test runs
ICC Emerging Player Award
Outstanding performances in Test cricket
2013
ODI Series
South Africa vs Pakistan
Most runs scored in an ODI series by a South African captain
Man of the Series
Leading run-scorer in the series
2016
ICC World Twenty20
South Africa vs Sri Lanka
First South African to score a century in ICC T20 World Cup
Player of the Match
Scored 101* in crucial T20 match
2017
Test Match
South Africa vs India
Only South African to score centuries in all three formats
Test Player of the Year
Consistency and outstanding Test match contributions
2018
IPL
Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Leading run-scorer in IPL season
IPL Best Batsman Award
Top performer and leading run-scorer
2019
ODI World Cup
South Africa vs Australia
First South African captain to score 500+ runs in a single World Cup tournament
World Cup Best Captain
Leading South Africa to the semi-finals
2020
T20 International
South Africa vs England
Fastest 50 by a South African in T20Is (17 balls)
T20 International MVP
Exceptional performance in T20 cricket
2021
Test Match
South Africa vs Pakistan
First South African captain to score two double centuries in Test cricket
Test Player of the Year
Record-breaking performances in Test cricket
2022
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
South Africa vs India
Most runs in a single ICC T20 World Cup for South Africa
Player of the Tournament
Outstanding performance throughout the tournament
2023
IPL Final
Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans
Most IPL titles as captain (4 titles)
Best IPL Captain Award
Leading Chennai Super Kings to 4 IPL titles
2024
ODI Series
South Africa vs New Zealand
Highest individual score by a South African in ODIs (180*)
Man of the Series
Dominating performance in the ODI series
Personal & Family Information
Criteria
Details
Full Name
Francois du Plessis
Nickname
Faf
Profession
Cricketer (Batsman)
Famous for
Leading South Africa in all three formats
Birthday
July 13, 1984
Age (as of 2024)
40 years
Birth Place
Pretoria, South Africa
Hometown
Pretoria, South Africa
Address
Johannesburg, South Africa
Nationality
South African
Religion
Christianity
Zodiac Sign
Cancer
Father
Francois du Plessis Sr.
Mother
Amanda du Plessis
Brother
N/A
Sister
Rhemi du Plessis
Marital Status
Married
Wife/Spouse
Imari Visser
Son
N/A
Daughter
Amelie du Plessis
Relationship/Girlfriend Name
Imari Visser
Educational Qualification
Degree in Sports Management
School Name
Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, Pretoria
College Name
University of Pretoria
Net worth/Earnings
$20 million (approx.)
Passion
Fitness and Sports
Hobbies
Golf, Swimming, Fishing
Food Habits/Diet Chart
Balanced diet with a focus on protein
Fitness Schedule
Daily workouts, weight training, cardio
Likes
Adventure sports, Traveling
Dislikes
Losing matches
Instagram ID
@fafdup
Facebook ID
@fafdup13
Twitter ID
@faf1307
Body Measurement/Physical Stats
Criteria
Details
Height
5’11” (180 cm)
Weight
78 kg (172 lbs)
Chest
40 inches
Waist
32 inches
Biceps
14 inches
Eye Color
Hazel
Hair Color
Blonde
Favorites
Category
Favorite
Movies
Gladiator, Braveheart
Songs
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” (Guns N’ Roses)
Music
Rock
Actor
Russell Crowe
Actress
Charlize Theron
Footballer
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cricketer
AB de Villiers
Food
Steak, Biltong
Perfume
Tom Ford Noir
Car/Car Owned
Porsche Panamera
Bike/Bike Owned
Harley Davidson
Controversies
Year
Controversy
Description
2013
Ball-tampering allegation (Pakistan tour)
Fined for ball-tampering by rubbing it against his zipper
2016
Mint-gate controversy (Australia tour)
Caught applying mint to the ball; fined by ICC
2017
Criticism of South African selectors
Publicly questioned team selection for key series
2020
Quitting captaincy controversy
Stepped down amidst pressure after poor performances
2022
IPL Draft snub
Controversy over being overlooked in IPL Mega Auction
Comparison
Criteria
Faf du Plessis
Virat Kohli
Steve Smith
Kane Williamson
Joe Root
Babar Azam
David Warner
Batting Role
Right-hand Batsman
Right-hand Batsman
Right-hand Batsman
Right-hand Batsman
Right-hand Batsman
Right-hand Batsman
Left-hand Batsman
Playing Style
Anchor, reliable in chases
Aggressive, chases expert
Technically sound, adaptive
Classical, solid technique
Elegant, technically solid
Aggressive, consistent
Explosive, power-hitter
International Debut (Year)
2011
2008
2010
2010
2012
2015
2009
ODI Matches
143
286
143
161
160
114
155
ODI Runs
5,507
13,024
4,378
6,554
6,207
5,436
6,397
ODI Average
47.47
57.63
43.34
47.83
51.33
58.16
45.11
ODI Strike Rate
88.6
93.63
87.41
81.75
86.85
89.03
95.13
Test Matches
69
111
99
94
132
49
103
Test Runs
4,163
8,676
8,953
8,033
11,165
3,696
8,203
Test Average
40.03
48.93
59.8
53.53
50.21
47.92
45.94
Test 100s/50s
10/21.
29/28.
32/37.
28/33.
30/58.
9/26.
24/34.
T20I Matches
50
115
63
87
88
104
99
T20I Runs
1,528
4,008
1,018
2,368
2,542
3,674
2,894
T20I Average
35.53
52.73
25.46
32.91
35.72
48.03
32.95
T20I Strike Rate
134.38
137.97
125
123.45
126.3
129.41
140.64
IPL Matches
122
237
116
N/A
N/A
78
167
IPL Runs
3,492
7,263
2,485
N/A
N/A
2,350
6,397
IPL Average
34.42
37.25
34.51
N/A
N/A
42.5
41.54
IPL Strike Rate
130.58
129.16
129.91
N/A
N/A
126.85
140.89
Faf du Plessis profile:Lesser-Known Facts
Real Name: His full name is Francois du Plessis—but you know him as Faf, right?
Nickname: His friends used to call him “The Marathon Man” because of his incredible endurance.
Not Just a Cricketer: Faf du Plessis actually has a degree in Sports Science! Who knew, right?
Born in a Sporting Family: His cousin, Marcel du Plessis, is also a professional athlete but in rugby.
School Days: He went to Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, the same school that produced other famous cricketers like AB de Villiers.
Started as a Bowler: Early in his cricket career, Faf was more of a bowler before transforming into a full-time batsman.
Rejected by Rugby: Believe it or not, Faf was also interested in rugby but was rejected for being “too skinny.”
First Love: His first love wasn’t cricket! It was rugby, and he dreamed of playing for the Springboks.
Struggled Early On: He almost gave up cricket when he wasn’t selected for South Africa’s U-19 team.
Moved to England: Faf once thought of playing for England when he was overlooked for selection in South Africa. Lucky for us, that didn’t happen!
Not an IPL Starter: He wasn’t an instant hit in the IPL. Faf initially struggled and was benched a lot during his first season with Chennai Super Kings.
Army Training: Faf did a compulsory army training course in his younger days.
Fielding is His Favorite: Faf says he enjoys fielding as much as batting. His favorite position? Slip and short-leg.
Cricket wasn’t his Only Option: If cricket hadn’t worked out, Faf says he might have ended up in real estate!
Superstitions? Not Really: Faf isn’t big on superstitions, but he always ties his right shoe first before every match.
Green Tea Over Coffee: Unlike most cricketers, he doesn’t start his day with coffee. Instead, he prefers green tea.
Ambidextrous: Faf is ambidextrous, meaning he can use both his hands equally well!
Love for Dogs: Faf is a huge dog lover and has two pet dogs, Bella and Duke.
Calm Under Pressure: Faf is often referred to as the “Ice Man” because of how cool he remains in tense situations.
First International Century: His first Test century came in Adelaide in 2012, where he batted for over 466 minutes to save the match.
Fought for Team Rights: Faf was one of the players who actively fought for better player rights and contracts in South African cricket.
Love for Cooking: On days off, Faf likes to get into the kitchen and cook. His favorite dish to make? Pasta.
Plays the Guitar: Not many know, but Faf is also a self-taught guitar player. He often takes his guitar with him on tours.
Faf and AB’s Friendship: He and AB de Villiers have been best friends since childhood. Their families are super close too!
Fitness Freak: Faf is a fitness fanatic. He spends at least two hours a day working out, even during match days.
Loves Watching Football: Faf is a big fan of Liverpool Football Club and doesn’t miss their matches if he can.
Best Mates with MS Dhoni: Faf and MS Dhoni have developed a close friendship during their time at Chennai Super Kings.
Didn’t Like Playing in India Initially: He used to struggle in Indian conditions, especially with the spin, but over the years, he’s become a master of it.
Fan of Superheroes: Faf is a huge fan of Marvel superheroes, and his favorite superhero is Iron Man.
Plant-Based Diet: Faf switched to a plant-based diet in 2019 to improve his health and fitness.
Fatherhood Changed Him: He says becoming a father to his daughter Amelie has made him a more responsible person.
Fashion Conscious: Faf loves fashion and even has a collection of tailored suits for events.
First Car: Faf’s first car was a Volkswagen Golf, which he still remembers fondly.
Family Man: Despite his busy schedule, Faf makes it a point to spend as much time as possible with his wife, Imari Visser, and their daughter.
Test Debut at 28: Faf was quite a late bloomer in Test cricket, making his debut at the age of 28.
Passion for Surfing: He enjoys surfing whenever he gets time off, especially when visiting Australia.
Big Fan of Roger Federer: Faf absolutely admires Roger Federer, saying he’s the “greatest sportsman ever.”
Most Tense Match: When asked about his most tense match, Faf pointed to the 2019 World Cup game against New Zealand.
Love for Traveling: Faf loves traveling, especially to Italy for vacations.
First IPL Captaincy: His first captaincy in the IPL came for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2022.
Misses Childhood Adventures: Growing up, Faf used to go on regular hiking trips with his dad. He misses those days.
First Century Against India: Faf’s first ODI century came against India in 2013, a match he describes as “one of the hardest” of his career.
Bilingual: Faf is fluent in Afrikaans and English.
Charity Work: Faf is actively involved in charity work, particularly with organizations helping underprivileged children in South Africa.
Biggest Fear: Despite his calm demeanor, Faf admits that he has a fear of flying.
Mentor: Faf has always looked up to former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes as a mentor and guide.
Music Buff: On tours, Faf listens to a lot of Coldplay and Ed Sheeran to relax.
Adventure Junkie: Faf loves bungee jumping and tries it whenever he visits New Zealand or South Africa.
Most Embarrassing Moment: Faf once revealed that his most embarrassing moment was tripping over the boundary rope while trying to celebrate a catch!
Family First: Despite being one of the busiest cricketers, Faf makes sure to never miss any of his daughter’s milestones, no matter where he is in the world.
