A former student of Hoerskool Monument in Johannesburg, Philip du Preez turned out for the Golden Lions at the U18 Craven Week, going on to represent the South African U18 Schools team in 2011. A superbly athletic second rower, du Preez joined the Blue Bulls the following year, before enrolling at the University of the Free State. Philip thrived in Bloemfontein, not only for the UFS Shimlas in the Varsity Cup, but also enjoying a senior professional debut in the Vodacom Cup at just 20 years of age.

Quickly establishing himself as an enforcer for the Free State Cheetahs in the U21 Currie Cup, the young du Preez was perfectly suited to the physicality of the French game, joining Bayonne as an Espoir in 2015, before returning to South Africa to form part of the Southern Kings Super Rugby squad. A tough-as-nails physical presence who manages to rack up an incomparable tackle count, he also exhibits an ability to dominate the lineout and control the set piece at every opportunity. Philip emerged as a superb piece of business for Mont de Marsan in the 2016/17 Pro D2 season, rotating between the number four and five jerseys for four campaigns, before embarking on a short stint at Mâcon. Returning to the Pro D2 in the colours of Nevers, the experienced lock is entering the peak of his career in 2020/21.