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Bok star Jannie du Plessis grapples with grief in must-see doccie about son's drowning
Ex-Springbok Jannie du Plessis opens up about losing his son in 'Tussen Hemel en Aarde', which premieres at the Silwerskermfees this week.
Nothing is ever the same again after a parent loses a child… In the kykNET Silwerskermfees documentary Tussen Hemel en Aarde (Between Heaven and Earth), former Springbok rugby player Jannie du Plessis and his wife, Ronel, open their hearts about the painful subject of the death of their 10-month-old son, Jan Nathaniël, who tragically drowned in November 2021.
The shock incident occurred at the Du Plessis' family home in Krugersdorp on the same day the ex-Springbok prop celebrated his 39th birthday.
Jannie du Plessis: Springbok career and family man
The towering rugby player won 70 caps for the Boks and was part of Jake White's squad that lifted the Rugby World Cup in 2007 alongside his brother, hooker Bismarck du Plessis.
Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis celebrate the Springboks' 2007 Rugby World Cup victory against England at the Stade de France in Paris. Picture: Gallo Images
Du Plessis – who is a qualified doctor – shares two other children, daughters Rosalie and Hele, with Ronel.
Silwerskermfees: 'Tussen Hemel en Aarde' premiere
Ahead of the documentary's Silwerskermfees premiere on Thursday, 21 August, at The Rotunda in Cape Town, director Danielle Retief and producer Ursula Botha spoke about what motivated them to tell the story of the Du Plessis' heartbreaking loss.
Jannie and Ronel du Plessis' story of pain and loss
Former Springbok player Jannie du Plessis' wife, Ronel, in 'Tussen Hemel en Aarde'. Picture: Supplied
What made you decide to tell this specific story about the death of Ronel and Jannie du Plessis' son?
Botha: I submit concepts to Silwerskermfees and Silwermark every year, and this story truly came to me in a dream, which I believe was from God. I dreamt that the story was being screened at the festival. I already knew Ronel, so it was easy to approach her.
I think anyone who has ever had to work through grief will relate to this. The doccie looks at death and how different people grieve in different ways.
Retief: When I met Jannie and Ronel for the first time, I knew their story would have an impact.
But really, anyone who has ever had to confront mortality will identify with it, because the central question is, 'What is your place between Heaven and Earth?'
WATCH: 'Tussen Hemel en Aarde' trailer
Revisiting their son's death on camera couldn't have been easy for Jannie and Ronel. How did you earn the family's trust?
Botha: Ronel had previously shared the story at women's events, and Jannie had briefly spoken about it with Hannes van Wyk on Kwêla. But this was different, much deeper.
I could see them trying to avoid certain memories, but they still answered my questions with courage. Their vulnerability was immense.
Jannie du Plessis speaks about the pain of losing their 10-month-old baby during an interview at the family's Krugersdorp home on 13 May 2022. Picture: Gallo Images/Rapport/Elizabeth Sejake
With the children, we made sure they felt safe. We spent time with them beforehand and got to know them. They are three incredible souls.
Former Springbok prop Jannie du Plessis and his wife, Ronel, with their daughters. Picture: X
Retief: It was definitely not easy, but our intentions were honest and sincere from the beginning.
We weren't there to force anyone to open up. We were there for Jan Nathaniël's story and the impact it may have. I believe the Du Plessis family could sense that, and that's why they spoke to us like friends.
Basic human response to death: The burden of grief
As filmmakers, it must have been emotionally intense to live and work so closely with such heartbreaking content…
Botha: On a personal level, I've already walked a journey with them, but the real challenge came when I started my Silwerskermfees short film mentorship with David Enright.
He asked the meaningful 'why' questions and dug deeper than my own motives.
Only then did I arrive at my own 'why', which is the basic human response to death: grief.
Former Springbok Jannie du Plessis shares some memories of his baby son in the documentary 'Tussen Hemel en Aarde', which premieres at the Silwerskermfees on Thursday. Picture: Supplied
It was the archive footage of little Jan Nathaniël that hit me hardest, but on set, I felt a supernatural calm – I was strong and able to help everyone I spoke to, to feel safe.
'Golden hour' at grave of Jannie du Plessis' son
Were there any moments on set that particularly moved you?
Botha: For me, it was the sunset – the 'golden hour' – at Jan Nathaniël's grave on the farm. Standing in front of the grave, all my bravery disappeared, and I cried for the first time.
Retief: The grave and the farm were profound experiences. Not only did the weather cooperate to the minute, but we truly got to know the Du Plessis family.
Seeing a family that is so incredibly loving and respectful toward one another was deeply inspiring.
Jannie du Plessis as father: Cutting through the Springbok hype
Jannie du Plessis and his wife, Ronel, with their son, Jan Nathaniel. Picture: X/Toks van der Linde
A documentary like this could easily feel sensationalist, but you manage to avoid that and tell a very honest, sincere story. How did you achieve this?
Botha: It was a conscious decision from the start to avoid sensationalism.
For instance, we wanted to present Jannie as a father, not as a Springbok. And the focus leaned a bit more towards Ronel. In the end, Jannie's contribution tied everything together beautifully.
Retief: As the producer, it was a major priority for me to treat the story with respect. We kept returning to the core questions: 'Who are the people? Who are the parents? How does the grieving process work?'
kykNET Silwerskermfees: Tickets and programme
The kykNET Silwerskermfees Film Festival runs from 20 to 23 August 2025 at The Rotunda in Camps Bay, Cape Town.
Tickets are available from Quicket.
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