The Black Ferns midfielder, who moved to New Zealand from South Africa when she was 7, cut her teeth at Southland Girls’ and was a key cog for the Otago Spirit from 2018 to 2020, the same year she made her international debut.
That road is not lost on her when she was named to start in her 13th test when the Black Ferns face Wales at Forsyth Barr Stadium — where she started her first-class career — tomorrow.
"Amy Rule and I reflected on this the other day ... saying how grateful and excited we are," du Plessis said.
"We both played Spirit together and were fresh and now we’re actually playing an international test match at Forsyth Barr.
"I’m really excited. I know how lucky I am to be here."
The Black Ferns have made seven changes to the side that lost 18-17 to France in the opening leg of the inaugural WXV 1 series.
Loose forward Layla Sae gets her first start in the black jersey, with prop Kate Henwood, lock Chelsea Bremner, and winger Mererangi Paul earning their first start of the tournament. Krystal Murray and Alana Bremner will inject experience off the bench alongside Iritana Hohaia.
The Black Ferns will be without Chryss Viliko for the rest of the tournament, after she was suspended for two tests after being red-carded last week.
While the loss — du Plessis’s first as a Black Fern — "really hurt at the time", it was good for them to be tested, she said.
"As hard as it was, it’s going to be the best thing for us and teach us a lot of things going forward."
Captain Kennedy Simon agreed, saying the team had honest conversations to improve this week.
"We’re going to make sure we capitalise on our opportunities," Simon said.
The team had an "amazing week" in Dunedin and Simon looked forward to playing their first game in the city since 1997 — 20 players in the squad were not born then — and their first under the roof.
"It’s going to be a different experience for us. We’re up for the challenge."
They were rallying around the southern players in the team — "we’re making sure they feel some pride with us being here" — and had been welcomed throughout the city.
A small crowd turned out in Wellington for the opener, but Bunting felt it was "a little bit different down here".
They bumped into people and chatted on the street and noticed posters scattered throughout the city promoting WXV 1.
"You can see people waving and watching our bus and I think they love rugby down here quite a bit," Bunting said.
"They’re pretty passionate Highlanders down here and the Black Ferns haven’t been here for a long time.
"We’re hoping we’re going to have a good crowd in here and they can enjoy, especially Friday, too. There’s some pretty good rugby teams."
WXV 1 kicks off tonight between England and Canada at 7pm. The Black Ferns face Wales at 4pm tomorrow, followed by France and the Wallaroos at 7pm.
WXV 1
The teams
Black Ferns: Renee Holmes, Ruby Tui, Amy du Plessis, Sylvia Brunt, Mererangi Paul, Ruahei Demant, Arihiana Marino-Tauihinu, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Kennedy Simon, Layla Sae, Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Amy Rule, Georgia Ponsonby, Kate Henwood. Reserves: Luka Connor, Krystal Murray, Tanya Kalounivale, Alana Bremner, Lucy Jenkins, Iritana Hohaia, Patricia Maliepo, Martha Mataele.
Wales: Nel Metcalfe, Jasmine Joyce, Hannah Jones, Hannah Bluck, Carys Williams-Morris, Lleucu George, Keira Bevan, Alex Callender, Sioned Harries, Alisha Butchers, Kate Williams, Abbie Fleming, Donna Rose, Kelsey Jones, Gwenllian Pyrs. Reserves: Kat Evans, Abbey Constable, Sisilia Tuipilotu, Bryonie King, Bethan Lewis, Meg Davies, Robyn Wilkins, Mel Webb.
