South African rugby hard-man hasn't forgotten what Nigel Owens did for him

We know, of course, what a great guy Nigel Owens is. But if you wanted further proof, it's come from hulking South African prop Petrus du Plessis.

He has just posted a clip on social media of his last game of rugby, when he was in need of running repairs after a cut opened up around his right eye.

Were the man from Hermanus in the Western Cape a boxer, a cornerman might have stepped forward to clean it up and perhaps apply powder and a cotton swab to prevent matters from worsening.

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But this was on the rugby field with no such chap on hand to do the honours for the then 38-year-old Glasgow Warriors tighthead as his side played out the final quarter of their match against Benetton.

Before the team physio could get into position to tend du Plessis, match referee Nigel Owens decided to render the big man some customised assistance. Turning round, the celebrated Welsh and World Cup final official offered du Plessis the back of his pink and white shirt to clean the blood from his face.

After initially hesitating, the old warrior from the republic, who is Australia’s scrum coach these days, was persuaded to take up Owens’ “if you want, wipe” offer.

And so it was that South African blood came to be smeared into the rear of the match official’s jersey that day in Italy in 2020.

The TV commentator liked what he saw, saying: “You can’t but enjoy Nigel Owens when he referees a game.”

And du Plessis hasn’t forgotten the incident, with the ex-Saracens and London Irish player putting out a tweet recalling the events. “On my last ever game, I was battered and bruised, and this happened, never again has a referee offered his shirt like this