Former Springbok champions and World Cup-winning front-rowers Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis have made monumental waves off the rugby pitch, securing a staggering R1.1-million payday at the National Beefmaster Auction in Parys.
The blockbuster sale of their prized two-year-old bull, JAN 23-3125, ignited a fierce bidding war at the Afridome, serving as a headline milestone for the Beefmaster Breeders’ Society’s 40th anniversary event.
The Anatomy of an Elite Breeder: Key Auction Details
The record-smashing animal was bred directly at the Janmarck Beefmaster stud near Bethlehem in the Free State, which Jannie and Bismarck own alongside their brother and primary business partner, Tabbie du Plessis.
- The Lineage: JAN 23-3125 boasts impeccable genetics. He was sired by the record-breaking bull Top Gun (BOS 18 8154) out of the farm’s absolute matriarch cow, BOS 10 0179.
- Genetic Premium: The brothers confirmed the bull is negative on all Myostatin genes (meaning no unwanted double-muscling mutations), ensuring elite, clean genetic consistency for future breeding programs.
- The Master Plan: Since founding Janmarck in 2013 with just five registered cows, the brothers intentionally avoided commercial herds to focus purely on top-tier genetic excellence.
The Janmarck Stud Rise to Dominance
The R1.1-million mark is the absolute pinnacle of a highly strategic, decade-long upward trajectory for the Du Plessis siblings:
| Year | Milestone Bull | Buyer / Destination | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | JAN 1401 | Jan Schoeman (Oktavia Beefmasters) | First national auction appearance |
| 2019 | JAN 1502 | Guy Rensburg (Rensgrow Beefmasters) | First bull to break the R100,000 mark |
| 2021 | JAN 1905 | Gantouw Beefmasters | Established new national benchmark price |
| 2022 | JAN 1909 | Beef on Grass Beefmasters | Broke the historical Janmarck farm record |
| 2026 | JAN 23-3125 | Undisclosed | First seven-figure R1.1-million milesto |
