What do you get when someone refuses to limit herself to just one role in sport? In Elsunet du Plessis’ case, you get a player, sport scientist, lecturer, sport manager and coach who has now added another national role to her growing list of achievements.

She has been appointed as the South African under-19 caretaker assistant coach for the upcoming Region 5 Games, which will take place in Mozambique from 4 to 13 December 2026.

The one-year appointment will see her work with the national under-19 team as they prepare for the competition.

Receiving the news was a special moment for Elsunet.

“I was incredibly excited and grateful,” she says. “It is a huge honour to be given the opportunity to represent South Africa and to be part of the national under-19 programme.”

Elsunet is no stranger to the netball court. As a player, she represented the NWU Eagles as a goal attack from 2007 to 2014 and played for North West provincial teams from 2006 to 2015 and again from 2018 to 2020. She also formed part of the Protea setup from 2010 to 2016 and represented the KwaZulu-Natal Kingdom Stars in 2016 and 2017.

She has also worked as a lecturer in the NWU School of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, adding an academic dimension to her experience in high-performance sport.

Her work has also taken her into sport management. In 2018, she worked with the South African USSA team at the FISU World University Netball Championships, adding international university sport experience to an already diverse career.

Elsunet joined the NWU Eagles as head coach in 2018 and continues to lead the team today. 

For her, the latest appointment is not only a proud moment, but also an opportunity to continue growing as a coach.

“It is a very special opportunity and an important step in my coaching journey,” she says. “I am always looking to learn and grow as a coach, and working within a national team environment will give me the opportunity to learn from other coaches and contribute at a higher level.”

Working with young players is close to her heart, and she hopes to bring her experience, energy and passion to the team.

“I want to contribute wherever I can and help create an environment where the players can perform with confidence and proudly represent South Africa,” she says.

Her journey has taught her that there is always something new to learn, a lesson she believes is important for young coaches, too.

Her coaching experience also includes the North West Flames at provincial level and the President’s XII team, where she served as assistant coach during Netball South Africa’s annual Diamond Challenge.

“My coaching journey has taught me that you never stop learning,” she says. “Keep developing yourself, be willing to learn from others and take every opportunity to gain experience. Most importantly, stay true to yourself and always put the players first.”

Now, her appointment to the South African under-19 setup adds another chapter to a career that has taken her across almost every side of the sport, from player and sport scientist to lecturer, sport manager and coach.

Elsunet du Plessis