When UniMil outside centre Cheslyn Roberts was replaced with Lucian Bowie with a few minutes left on the clock against Hamiltons on Saturday, he left the field looking like a man that just got back from war.
Roberts had emptied his tank and it was clear for everyone at Theo Marais Park to see.
The last few metres before he could plonk down on the bench were cheered by the UniMil supporters. They understood what the player had just given them and the team.
UniMil ultimately got over the line with a 24-14 win over the more fancied Hammies.
But if ever there was a day in Western Cape club rugby where rugby won, it was this one.
The fan base at UniMil is as diverse as they come, but what coach Isma-Eel Dollie and his support staff have done is create an atmosphere where everyone has one common goal.
And Dollie reveals that it was former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers who planted the initial seed.
He says: “We’re definitely making a difference in people’s lives, it’s not all about rugby here…
“It’s about developing the person before the rugby player and I learned that from Peter de Villiers.
“He was one of my mentors when he coached me. He is very much a people’s person… and to him it was about developing the person first before you develop the player.”
The road wasn’t always as easy for Dollie and his coaching staff.
When he started at UniMil, the club had a drinking culture.
He explains: “When I joined this club, it was a drinking club with a rugby problem. And that culture had to change very quickly because I am a Muslim.
“So I had to set a few boundaries in place in terms of alcohol usage and it was just a mindshift – it wasn’t big, the bar is right there and this is the change room.
“There’s no drinking in the change room. We respect that.
“That was a big change.”
Dollie credits the club’s management for sticking with the same players and believing in the coaching staff for their success.
He adds: “I think the key to our success has been sustainability of coaches and sustainability of players.
“This cohesion is key – if you get new players all the time, you have to build a new culture – 80 to 90 percent of these guys were with me six years ago.
“There’s been one or two additions.
“And I think it’s testimony to the faith that management has put in the coaching staff as well.
“As coaches, we honestly believe we are the best.
“I played this game at a high level, Adi Jacobs has played at the highest level.
“And we’ve seen this game from a players’ perspective at a professional level and we know what it takes to make it to the top.
“We are trying to impart the knowledge to the youngsters over here.”
UniMil next face defending champions Maties for the right to play in the final against either Durbell or False Bay.
And Dollie can’t wait, saying: “Who would have thought [we would be in the final four]?
“No one gave us a chance.
“Seven years ago we were playing in the Premier B, about five leagues below this.
“Now we actually have a chance of winning the league – the best league in South Africa.
“It’s unbelievable.
“It’s going to be tough against Maties, they are the Varsity Cup champs.
“But this is a journey we are going to enjoy, no matter who we are playing. We know it’s not going to be easy... but we’ll give it our best shot.”
Meanwhile, Primrose faced Kuilsrivier, while Bellville locked horns with Franschhoek last night to determine who will join Paarl and Helderberg in the semis of Super League B.
Saturday’s Super League A semifinals at City Park.