Faf du Plessis is one of South Africa’s best cricketers. He is known for his strong batting, great fielding, and smart captaincy. He is loved by millions for his fighting spirit on the field. Let’s read about his life story — from his early days, family, career, records, love life, controversies, and much more — in easy words.
| Full Name | Francois “Faf” du Plessis |
|---|---|
| Profession | Cricketer (Batsman & Former Captain) |
| Date of Birth | July 13, 1984 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 41 Years |
| Birthplace | Pretoria, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Batting Style | Right-handed Batsman |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm Leg Break |
| Role | Top-order Batsman, Leader |
| Father’s Name | Francois du Plessis Sr. |
| Mother’s Name | Marina du Plessis |
| Sister’s Name | Rhemi du Plessis |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife’s Name | Imari Visser |
| Children | Daughter – Amelie du Plessis |
| Best Friend | AB de Villiers |
| First ODI Debut | January 18, 2011 vs. India |
| First Test Debut | November 23, 2012 vs. Australia |
| IPL Team 2025 | Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) |
| Hobbies | Fitness, Beach Trips, Reading |
| Controversies | Ball-Tampering Incidents (2013, 2016) |
Early Life and Childhood
Faf du Plessis was born on July 13, 1984, in Pretoria, South Africa. His full name is Francois du Plessis, but everyone calls him “Faf.” He grew up in a sporty family. His father, Francois du Plessis Sr., played rugby. So sports always ran in his blood.
As a child, Faf loved playing different sports. But cricket was his favorite. He used to play with his cousins and friends in his neighborhood. He always dreamt of wearing the green and gold jersey for South Africa.
Faf went to Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (known as Affies) in Pretoria. It is one of South Africa’s top schools for sports. AB de Villiers, another South African star, was his schoolmate. They became good friends there.
.jpg)
Family Details
Faf du Plessis comes from a warm and close family. His father, Francois Sr., was a professional rugby player. Faf’s mother, Marina du Plessis, is a caring homemaker who always supported her son’s cricket dream.
Faf has a sister named Rhemi du Plessis. His family helped him stay grounded even after he became famous. Faf always says his family keeps him humble and happy.
Height, Age, and Looks
Faf du Plessis is 41 years old as of July 2025. He is fit and healthy even today because he trains hard and eats well. He stands tall at around 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm).
Faf is known for his sharp looks. He has light green eyes and brown hair. He keeps his beard well-trimmed. Many fans say he looks like a movie star! He is also known for his strong muscles and six-pack abs. Faf loves fitness and works out every day.
Faf’s Cricket Career
Domestic Cricket
Faf started playing for Northern Titans in South Africa. He performed well in domestic matches and was soon picked for South Africa’s Under-19 team. He also played county cricket for Lancashire in England. These matches helped him gain experience and confidence.
International Debut
Faf made his debut for South Africa in 2011. He first played an ODI against India. In 2012, he made his Test debut against Australia in Adelaide. He scored a heroic 78 runs in the first innings and an unbeaten 110 runs in the second innings. He batted for more than seven hours to save the match. This made him an instant hero in South Africa.
A Dependable Batsman
Faf became a reliable middle-order batsman for South Africa. He scored runs in tough situations. He is known for his calm mind and fighting attitude. His partnerships with AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla were famous and match-winning.
Captaincy
In 2016, Faf was made the captain of the South African Test team. He later became captain for all three formats. As a leader, he brought discipline and unity to the team. Faf led by example. He scored important runs and always encouraged young players.
Under his captaincy, South Africa won many big matches, including series wins in Australia and at home. Even when the team faced tough times, Faf stood strong.
IPL and Franchise Cricket
Faf has played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for many years. He was part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a long time. Fans loved his partnership with MS Dhoni. Faf helped CSK win many matches with his strong batting and stunning catches in the field.
In recent seasons, Faf became the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He led the team well and scored many runs at the top. His fighting spirit and fitness inspired young players.
Besides IPL, Faf plays in other T20 leagues around the world like CPL and PSL. He is a big name in franchise cricket now.
Love Life and Wife
Faf du Plessis is a married man. He does not have a girlfriend because he is happily married to his beautiful wife, Imari Visser. Imari is a photographer and a marketing manager.
Faf and Imari dated for a few years before tying the knot in November 2013. Their wedding was a lovely ceremony in Kleine Zalze Wine Estate near Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Imari always supports Faf. She travels with him for matches whenever possible. They share sweet moments on social media. Faf calls Imari his best friend and life partner.
The couple has a lovely daughter named Amelie du Plessis. Faf loves spending time with his family when he is not playing cricket.
Friendship with AB de Villiers
One of the best things about Faf’s life is his friendship with AB de Villiers. They have been friends since school. They played cricket and rugby together as boys. Even today, they are very close.
Their bond on and off the field is famous among cricket fans. Faf always says AB is like his brother. They trust each other and help each other grow.
Controversies
Faf du Plessis is known for his honest and calm personality. But his career has seen some controversies too.
One big controversy was in 2013 when he was caught rubbing the ball on the zipper of his pants during a Test against Pakistan. Many accused him of ball-tampering. Faf accepted the fine but said he didn’t do it on purpose.
In 2016, another ball-tampering issue happened during a Test against Australia. He was seen applying mint saliva to shine the ball. He was fined again but did not lose any match ban.
Faf always said he never meant to cheat and just did what many players did to maintain the ball. His honesty and way of accepting fines kept fans’ trust in him.
Fitness and Diet
Faf is known as one of the fittest cricketers in the world. Even at 41, he looks like he is in his 20s. He works out daily, does weight training, runs, and practices yoga.
He eats a balanced diet and drinks lots of water. He avoids junk food and focuses on proteins and fresh vegetables. Faf says fitness is his biggest secret for a long career.
Records and Achievements
Faf du Plessis has made many records in his career:
- He scored centuries in all three formats.
- He is one of few players to score a century in his first Test innings away from home.
- He has more than 10,000 international runs.
- He led South Africa to famous series wins overseas.
- He won multiple IPL trophies with Chennai Super Kings.
- He was named South African Cricketer of the Year in 2019.
These records show how hardworking and consistent Faf has been.
Life Outside Cricket
Faf loves spending time with his family. He likes reading books, listening to music, and going to the beach. He enjoys fitness challenges and motivates fans to stay healthy.
Faf is also a strong believer in faith. He often talks about how his Christian values guide him in life. He supports charities and believes in giving back to society.
Future Plans
Faf is still going strong in T20 cricket. Even though he is not part of the South African team now, he plays leagues around the world. Fans wish to see him in the South African jersey again someday.
He wants to help young players learn about fitness, discipline, and handling pressure. Many people believe he will become a good coach or mentor in the future.
