But being on a campus where rugby predominates sports, and living in a residence with a strong rugby tradition, Du Plessis inevitably turned his attention to the oval-ball game. He recalled, " 'when you go to Stellenbosch to play cricket, it is like going to India to play rugby' ". After his first year of rugby at Stellenbosch he was chosen at lock for Maties's first team, and was later selected for Province's U-20 team in the same position. Despite Du Plessis' frame, coach Craven considered him too small to be a lock, and moved him to eighthman. Du Plessis was selected to the Western Province rugby team in 1971, and eventually appointed captain. His 103 matches as captain for Province is still a record today.