The Stormers' master of many trades Pieter-Steph du Toit will achieve a personal milestone when he leads the side against the Sharks at Newlands on Saturday, bringing down the curtain on the Super Rugby season for the battling Cape Town side.
Do Toit will be captain in the absence of Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi, who has been withdrawn through illness, and the burly forward will fulfill a lifelong ambition when he leads the side he idolised as a boy out at the venue where he was once an enthralled youngster in the stands.
"It's a massive honour for me," Du Toit said on Thursday.
"The main thing I can do is try and do my job and lead by example on the field. Hopefully I can motivate the guys through my own play and try and make the right decisions in the field."
Du Toit captained the Boks in their one-off test against Wales in Washington D.C. last month, an appointment he also saw as a bolt from the blue, and he said that he was taken back when Stormers coach Robbie Fleck told him he would lead the side against the Sharks.
"Just like with the Springboks, I had never thought about it and when Fleckie told me this morning I was quite shocked," he said.
"I had to take a few seconds when I sat down at my locker to process it. To be playing at Newlands as well this weekend, I couldn't ask for anything better."
Du Toit will scrum down at flank in the No. 7 jersey, having also played at lock this season, and he said he was feeling ever more comfortable on the side of the scrum, where he starred for the Boks in their 2-1 series win over England in June.
"I learned a lot with the Boks and I have learned a lot under Fleckie as well, especially this year when we [the Stormers] have struggled a bit.
"I am trying to perform as well as I can, wherever I play. I also enjoyed myself at five, but I have been at seven a lot and it is something that I really strive to do well.
"Hopefully there are a lot more games [at seven] for me."
Du Toit said the loss of Kolisi would be a big blow for the side, not just for his experience but also his all-action style.
"It's massive, he is our captain and been the Springbok captain as well, so he brings a lot to the team with his calmness and experience, and the way he plays," Du Toit said.
"But I am sure the guy stepping in [Kobus van Dyk] is going to do well."
Fleck said that he had no second thought in selecting Du Toit as skipper when it became clear that Kolisi would not play.
"He is part of our leadership group and he has got some captaincy experience with the Springboks," Fleck said. "He's been outstanding for us, every game he has played for 80 minutes and given his heart and shown great character in his performances.
"When the team is battling for some form, all we can do is ask the player to wear their hearts on their sleeve and give their all, and Pieter-Steph has done that."