[1][non-primary source needed] He is best known for the role "Septimus van Zyl" in the television serial 7de Laan.
[3][non-primary source needed][4][failed verification] van Pletzen was born on 1 May 1952 in Stilfontein, South Africa.
Then he acted as Eben Meintjies in the series 1922 in 1984, and as "Spike Potas" in the Afrikaans TV-series Orkney Snork Nie in 1989.
][3][non-primary source needed] In 1989, he made a supportive role in the Hollywood blockbuster The Gods Must Be Crazy II.
][3][non-primary source needed] In 2000, he joined the cast of popular SABC2 soap opera 7de Laan and played the role as "Septimus van Zyl".
]quit from 7de Laan, he joined with kykNET's Afrikaans soap Getroud met Rugby and played the role "Sakkie".