François “Faf” du Plessis is a world-renowned South African cricketer and former national captain, celebrated for his elegant batting, sharp cricketing intelligence, and exceptional fitness. While his international career earned him immense respect, Faf is particularly renowned for his Indian Premier League (IPL) and other T20 league contributions, including the Nepal Premier League (NPL), where he became a major star and high-value player.
Early Life and Background
Faf du Plessis was born on 13 July 1984, into Francois du Plessis, a former South African rugby player, and Ina Rynners, who played a supportive role in his upbringing. His parents separated when he was young, and he spent much of his childhood with his mother.
He has one sister, Rhemi Rynners, who works in business and marketing. Rhemi is married to cricketer Hardus Viljoen, making him Faf’s brother-in-law. Faf does not have any brothers.
His close-knit family and athletic background played a major role in shaping his discipline, character, and successful cricketing career.
He attended the prestigious Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies), a school known for producing South African sports stars, including cricketers AB de Villiers, Heino Kuhn, and Jacques Rudolph.
At Affies, Faf developed a strong foundation in cricket. His natural talent, combined with excellent coaching and competitive school-level cricket, shaped his early development. Although he considered pursuing a degree in sports science at the University of Pretoria, his passion for cricket ultimately guided him to a full-time professional career.
Faf du Plessis: Career & T20 Leagues Overview
Faf du Plessis is one of the most respected names in cricket, known for his calm leadership, reliable batting, and sharp fielding. Over the last 15 years, he has made a big impact in T20 leagues around the world.
T20 League Career
Faf played 14 IPL seasons for several teams:
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS)
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – captain in 2022
- Delhi Capitals (DC) – vice-captain in 2025
Even after turning 40, he continued playing in T20 leagues globally, showing his fitness and experience.
Latest Updates (2025)
- IPL: Played for Delhi Capitals in 2025; opted out of IPL 2026 auction.
- PSL: Will join the Pakistan Super League in 2026 for a new challenge.
- NPL: Signed with Biratnagar Kings in Nepal; also mentors young players.
In short, Faf has paused IPL, is heading to PSL, and remains active in the NPL.
Highlights & Achievements
IPL:
- Reliable batsman, sharp captain, excellent fielder
- Earned around $4–5 million over 14 seasons
- One of the most popular overseas players
NPL:
- Played for Kathmandu Kings XI (2024) and Biratnagar Kings (2025)
- League ambassador and mentor
- Contract worth $250,000–$300,000
International Career:
- ODI debut: 2011 vs India (60* on debut)
- Test debut: 2012 vs Australia (110* & 78 in Adelaide)
- First South African to score centuries in all three formats
- Over 8,000 international runs
- Captained South Africa in all formats
- Retired in 2021
Faf du Plessis – Personal Life
Faf du Plessis has been married to Imari Visser since November 2013, and the couple has two daughters (born in 2017 and 2020). He is known for being family-oriented, humble, and disciplined, often sharing fitness tips, leadership advice, and personal growth insights with fans.
Beyond cricket, he has supported social causes like Black Lives Matter, emphasizing empathy, learning, and positive action. In October 2022, he released his autobiography, “FAF: Through Fire”, reflecting his journey, leadership, and personal experiences.
Faf du Plessis – Net Worth & Endorsements
As of 2025, Faf du Plessis has an estimated net worth of $12–14 million. His income comes from cricket contracts, brand endorsements, real estate, vehicles, and other investments.
Cricket Earnings
- IPL: Played 14 seasons; earned about $4–5 million from salaries, match winnings, and bonuses.
- SA20 League: Earned around $375,000.
- Other T20 Leagues: Big Bash League (BBL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), NPL, etc., contributed to his income.
- Total from Franchise Cricket: Around $7–8 million.
Brand Endorsements
Promoted brands include Puma, Nimue Skin International, H2coco Coconut Water, Panerai, Howzat, Sareen Sports, and Sbotop.
- Estimated Earnings: ~$800,000–1 million per year.
Real Estate & Assets
- Homes in Pretoria, South Africa, a farmhouse near a wildlife reserve, and properties in Dubai and London (~$400,000–500,000).
- Luxury vehicles: Audi TT, Range Rover Velar, BMW R16 (~$130,000).
Facts About Faf du Plessis
- #1Faf is known to avoid wearing new shoes on match days, believing it brings bad luck.
- #2In school, Faf excelled at rugby and tennis besides cricket but chose cricket as his career.
- #3Continued playing T20 leagues globally even after 40, a rare feat for professional cricketers.
- #4Enjoys exploring cricket cultures worldwide, which is one reason he played in leagues like IPL, NPL, PSL, and SA20.
- #5His sister, Rhemi, is married to Hardus Viljoen, a fellow international cricketer — cricket runs in the family!