Shimlas lock Johnre Stopforth on the prowl in Monday night's Varsity Cup final against Ikeys. (Hannes Naude/Asem Engage)
At the turn of the century, talent scout extraordinaire Johan Botha saw an imposing second rower from the unfashionable (and now defunct) Hoërskool JBM Hertzog toiling manfully.
The young man wasn't on the radar for any Craven Week selection nor was he being contracted at junior level by any of South Africa's unions.
READ | Shimlas coach praises 'fighters' after Varsity Cup final classic ends 9-year drought
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