Brisbane - The mystery of how one of George Smith's dreadlocks ended up as a proud possession in Werner Greeff's trophy cabinet was finally revealed on Monday when new Springbok fetcher Joe van Niekerk broke rugby's silence of omertà and told the full story.
The only advice to Smith, the world-class Wallaby fetcher who will be competing with Van Niekerk in the race to the breakdown in South Africa's opening Tri-Nations Test against Australia on Saturday, is: "Wear a scrumcap mate!"
Grinning like a mischievous 10-year-old, Van Niekerk suggested there could be a bounty on Smith's head again at the Suncorp Stadium this weekend.
Despite the occupational hazards of his profession as an open-side flank, Smith is so proud of his locks that he has never worn a scrumcap. He paid a painful price for this some years ago when the Springboks went big game hunting for a prized scalp.
"It was AJ Venter who said he would give $100 (about R700) to the man who came off the field with one of Smith's dreadlocks. AJ himself then surfaced from one of the rucks with it, but somehow it ended up in De Wet Barry's pocket. Afterwards he came into the dressing room smiling and said: 'Guess what AJ. I've got his dreadlock.' Thereafter I've got no idea how it ended up with Werner."
Asked whether he would again be tracking Smith's dreads on Saturday, Van Niekerk said: "Yes, I'm gonna have to. He's one good sharp player, a beauty who's been there for some time as a standout."
Van Niekerk, playing only his third Test in the vital role of fetcher on Saturday, will have a critical role to play in this year's Tri-Nations against the best in the business, namely Smith and All Black captain Richie McCaw - on current form the best rugby player in the world.
McCaw was again sensational, inspiring New Zealand to a comprehensive victory over Australia in the opening Tri-Nations game on Saturday, and Van Niekerk was impressed.
"I watched the game and thought 'Geez. How is it that he always gets to where he should be, specially in his position'. But we've gotten used to him playing that way. He's like the action bunny," said the Springbok No 6.
Like McCaw, on Saturday Van Niekerk has the unenviable task of racing in where angels fear to tread, into the dungeon of the rucks where boots are flying. He is already showing the scars of battle with swollen cauliflower ears tarnishing his schoolboy looks.
Van Niekerk started his career being hailed as the next Bob Skinstad, as a blind-side flank with a roving brief. Then he switched to No 8 with both the Stormers and the Springboks after a knee injury robbed him of a yard or two of pace. Now he has to fill the huge boots of the injured Schalk Burger, and so far he's shown he has the constitution for the job.
"I played No 6 against Australia in our first Tri-Nations match at Loftus last year (South Africa won 22-16) so it's not entirely new to me. I would say it's a pretty straightforward position and it's quite clear what your job is.
"Going into these games you know you are up against the best in the business. But if I take anything from our last game (against France at Newlands), it's that I was up against Serge Betsen and Remy Martin, both world class, and my workrate was higher than both.
"I only ran with the ball two or three times in that match, not a lot. You're more (at) the coalface and focusing on defence, but I enjoyed my game against France.
"Having said that, the role of fetcher is not something you can just jump into. You play more direct, as opposed to having a roving brief. It's not the friendliest position in the world, but I've got a job to do there. I'll throw my head in there as long as it's for the (good) of the team.
"I don't want to sound like I'm blowing my own horn, but this is what you live for as a player, as opposed to playing Griquas in Kimberley. I love the Tri-Nations and it's always brought out the best in me as a player."
The Tri-Nations, nevertheless, will also be the biggest test of Van Niekerk's new role, particularly in a Springbok loose trio featuring a new face at No 8 in the form of exciting young 20-year-old, Pierre Spies.
"He's got all the attributes to be world class and he's a huge talent," said Van Niekerk. "But as a pack we've got tons of Test experience now, so I don't think it will be a problem."
As for Smith's missing dreadlock, perhaps Greeff will do his Bok buddies a favour before Saturday and consult a local sangoma in Cape Town with it to work some magic.
- Kickoff: 11.30am.