Springbok Brothers' Janmarck Stud Bull Sells for R1.1 Million Beefmaster Record in Parys

• The Du Plessis brothers, including Springbok rugby players Jannie and Bismarck, put a prized bull under the hammer at the national Beefmaster auction in Parys
• The bull JAN 23-3125 from their Janmarck stud attracted serious interest from Eastern Cape buyers at the Afridome on 2 July
• The auction was among a handful permitted to proceed with cattle physically present, following strict biosecurity protocols linked to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak

A Beefmaster bull bred by the Du Plessis brothers' Janmarck stud fetched R1.1 million at the national Beefmaster auction held at the Afridome in Parys on 2 July, setting a new South African record price for the breed.

The stud is owned by the well-known Du Plessis family from Bethlehem, which includes former Springbok rugby players Jannie and Bismarck, as well as their brother Tabbie. Bismarck and Tabbie manage the Free State farm on a full-time basis, while Jannie, who practises medicine in Gauteng, visits when his schedule allows.

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Record Bull from Bethlehem

The record-breaking animal, catalogued as JAN 23-3125, had already served in the Janmarck stud for two years before the family made it available to outside breeders. Edgar Brotherton of Just Beef Beefmaster stud near Kenton-on-Sea and Mark Ford of Begelly Beefmasters near Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape secured the bull jointly. The two breeders frequently acquire animals together under their shared Heritage brand.

The auction was presented by Vleissentraal Bethlehem, with Ian Grobbelaar serving as auctioneer.

The event was one of a limited number of auctions permitted to proceed with cattle physically present in the ring following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Full vaccination, veterinary health inspections and comprehensive biosecurity protocols were implemented to make the sale possible.

Strong prices across Bulls and Females

Beyond the headline transaction, a bull from the stud of L.E. Campher of Ventersdorp, catalogued as WC 23-0053, sold for R325 000. Seventeen bulls were offered in total, achieving an average price of R202 059, reflecting sustained demand for high-quality Beefmaster genetics.

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The Janmarck stud continued its strong showing in the female classes, where pregnant heifer JAN 23-3179 sold for R220 000, the highest price recorded for a female from that stud at the sale.

The top female overall was BOS 18-8244, a pregnant cow with calf sold as a 3-in-1 unit from the Bos Blanco stud of Burnie and Dennis Staal of Kroonstad, which made R230 000. The same stud also received R190 000 for BOS 18-8641. Twelve 3-in-1 cows sold at an average of R103 333, while 11 pregnant heifers averaged R76 818.

Jantjies reportedly faces SARS tax demand

Briefly News previously reported that former Springbok star Elton Jantjies is reportedly entangled in financial and legal troubles with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), with claims that he owes more than R300,000 in unpaid taxes.

Jantjies, who is currently serving a rugby ban, has reportedly been issued with a final demand by the tax authority.

Source: Briefly News