Durban - Fans - young and old - queued at the Sportsmans Warehouse at Gateway shopping centre in Umhlanga on Thursday where they sought signatures and selfies with some of the current Springbok squad.
The players present included Jannie du Plessis, Frans Malherbe, Elton Jantjies, JP Pietersen and Zane Kirchner.
But there was one familiar face among those standing in line to meet their heroes.
Duane Vermeulen was quickly recognised and when approached by fans he told them, Springbok jersey in hand, that he was waiting to meet the players just like everybody else.
Vermeulen is currently recovering from neck surgery and is in a race against time to be fit for this year’s Rugby World Cup, but that clearly hasn’t dampened his Bok spirit.
South Africa take on Argentina in Durban on Saturday. Kick-off is at 17:05.