On Saturday Gary Teichmann will play in his first European Cup match when he leads Welsh club side Newport against Munster at Thomond Park. It is the beginning of a swansong for the former South African captain, as the curtain comes down on his playing career at the end of the season.
Having recently turned 33, Teichmann decided that the legacy of playing on would be too punitive in a sport where the size and strength of the combatants continues to grow. Capped 42 times for South Africa - he captained the team on 35 occasions - Teichmann was one of the outstanding players in world rugby in a period that lasted from 1995 to 1999.
He enjoyed Tri Nations success, won Currie Cups with Natal and was both an inspirational player and captain, but the one honour that eluded him was to lead his country in a World Cup. He had not yet ensconced himself in the national side in time for their 1995 World Cup triumph while four years later he suffered an even more disconcerting blow.
South African coach Nick Mallett sensationally dropped him both as captain and as a player from the squad for the 1999 World Cup, replacing him in the former role with first Joost Van der Westhuizen and then Bobby Skinstad.
A defeat by Wales (29-16) to mark the opening of the new Millennium Stadium on June 26th 1999 and, a fortnight later, a comprehensive loss to New Zealand in the Tri Nations exacerbated a deteriorating relationship between Mallett and Teichmann.
A telephone call from Mallett informed the player that he could no longer be considered an automatic choice at number eight and that he would be relieved of the captaincy.
It was a shabby conclusion to a partnership that had inspired South Africa to a record-equalling 17 successive Test victories: Mallett wanted to alter the style to a more expansive approach, Teichmann argued against a change in direction. The pair have not spoken since.
This week Teichmann would be forgiven for allowing himself a wry smile. Mallett's tenure as South African coach is at an end, his successor (Harry Viljoen) about to be confirmed. Teichmann could have gloated, but instead displayed magnanimity. "I just feel very, very sorry for him.
"I can understand why he has decided to stand down. In the end he just didn't want to put his family through it any more; coaching the Sprinboks is a very high pressure position. It is a great shame because he was an excellent coach and I'll always have good memories of the successful times I enjoyed playing under him as South African captain."
Teichmann had expected to retire after the 1999 World Cup. Instead he took up a two-year offer from Newport, reported to be worth £400,000. He hasn't looked back. "I don't think that I could have made a better choice than Newport because it is a great club with fantastic supporters." The affection is reciprocated at Rodney Parade.
His immediate thoughts are on the European Cup. "We have set our goals and that is to make the quarter-finals. That means we will have to win some of our away matches, but in recent seasons that has always been the case in this competition.
"Bath is not far away while we've been to Castres, so we know what to expect. Munster have lost Keith Wood this season but one guy doesn't make a team. Maybe they'll still get it together well." Teichmann is used to Irish opposition, not just from his international exploits but also from the season (1991-1992) he spent helping Clontarf to achieve promotion to Division Two of the All Ireland League.
Newport have offered Teichmann the opportunity to become coach at the end of the season but he has yet to commit himself. An ultimate ambition is to coach the Springboks, and to realise that dream a return to South Africa this summer will be required.
For now though, his priority remains Newport and a trip to Thomond Park.
