As a youngster in Knysna, new Stormers signing Warrick Gelant dreamed of one day wearing the No.15 hooped jersey that belonged to Gio “Appels” Aplon at the time.
And he will finally get to realise his childhood dream when local rugby returns - hopefully next month - after signing from the Bulls during the coronavirus lockdown period.
But it was a long road for the 25-year-old.
Despite being a big Western Province and Stormers fan, Gelant left for Loftus straight after finishing high school at Outeniqua in 2013.
Seven years later, he returns to Cape Town a World Cup winner with the Springboks and a seasoned professional.
Many would argue that after getting your hands on the William Webb Ellis trophy, there is not much to get excited about after that.
But Gelant says: “Winning the World Cup is what every player wants to achieve.
“But I’m not close to the player I can be and I have a lot more goals than just being able to say I was part of a World Cup-winning side.
“I came to Cape Town to make a name over here. I was always a Stormers supporter and the fullbacks that played in the jersey before me were great.
“For me to wear the jersey they wore is special. I have to earn it
“To be part of the Stormers tradition is bigger than just coming over and thinking I have arrived to play alongside friends and to have that schoolboy fun again and just to be happy again [is what it’s about].”
He adds of his Cape fullback heroes: “Gio played at the time I started watching rugby.
“Percy [Montgomery] was before him, but Gio was die ou.
“He had a skillset we all wanted growing up and obviously after him there was Cheslin [Kolbe], Dillyn [Leyds] and also Joe Pietersen.”
When rugby resumes, Gelant will get the chance to play against Aplon, who will wear his old jumper at the Bulls after signing from Toyota Verblitz recently.