Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has walked a long road from Zwide township, to Port Elizabeth’s prestigious Grey High, Eastern Province, Western Province and the Stormers.
And being chosen as the first black Bok skipper by Rassie Erasmus in June was a huge victory for transformation in the sport.
The 27-year-old Kolisi has remained grounded despite all the success, and got to return to the school on Friday that paved the way for his professional rugby career.
Kolisi received an honours blazer from Grey High, and is just the 12th person awarded in the 162-year history of the school.
The Bok loose forward was all smiles during the ceremony, and did a traditional war cry afterwards.
Kolisi has been enjoying a break after the Rugby Championship, although he did train with Western Province on Thursday at Newlands.
He will sit out the rest of the Currie Cup, and return to action in the first Test of the end-of-year tour to Europe against England at Twickenham on November 3.