The 24 year-old South African batsman, nicknamed Faf, was offered a contract by Mick Newell after impressing in Nottinghamshire's second team in the summer of 2006.
But he signed on in the Lancashire League with Todmorden the following year before accepting a one-year deal as a Kolpak at Old Trafford.
A promising first season with the Red Rose county last summer prompted Mike Watkinson, who was cricket manager at the time, to offer him a prolonged three-year contract.
He impressed in the one-day format, but the club believed there was room for improvement in the County Championship.
As fate would have it, his most prolific four-day performance last year was against Notts at Old Trafford when he scored two half-centuries. in the same match.
Buoyant Lancashire, who won their opening Championship match at Sussex last week, face the Midlands title contenders at Old Trafford tomorrow and Faf said: "It is the same for any player who moves from a county or a franchise, he always wants to prove to them how good a player he is.
"For me, with Notts, having turned down the opportunity to play there, I need to prove to them every time what kind of a player they are missing out on."
Du Plessis, who hit 58, shared an unbroken third wicket partnership of 148 with compatriot Ashwell Prince to confirm the Championship win at Sussex last week.
And he believes Prince, who also had a brief spell with Notts as their overseas player last summer, could play a big part in his development over the next month or so before VVS Laxman replaces the left-hander as Lancashire's overseas.
"I have never played with Ash in the same team before," said Faf. "We have always played against each other, abusing one another for fun.
"To bat with him, for me, is a big learning step. He has got years and years of experience, and he is one of the best batsmen in the world.
"The one thing he does so well is his conversion rates. When he gets to fifty, it is very hard to get him out. That is exactly what I want to try to emulate as quickly as possible."
Lancashire coach Peter Moores, who will be missing James Anderson and Sajid Mahmood, due to rest and England Lions duty, should play Oliver Newby and Kyle Hogg.
Karl Brown could be in line for a place if Moores wants to play an extra batsman.
Nottinghamshire, who also won their opening four-day fixture, will be without Stuart Broad and Darren Pattinson.
Tweet
