Jannie de Beer arrived at Rugby World Cup 1999 as the second choice fly half for South Africa, but an injury to Henry Honiball gave him the No 10 jersey and, ultimately, his place in the history books.
The then 28 year old, who made his Springbok debut against the British & Irish Lions in Johannesburg on 5 July 1997, scored 42 points with his trusty right boot as the defending champions progressed to the quarter final.
However it was South Africa’s last eight encounter with England on 24 October that wrote the name Jannie de Beer into the record books and not just because his 34 point haul was a Springbok record.
The match was finely placed at half time with South Africa leading 16-12, but England and the Stade de France crowd in Paris could only watch in amazement as de Beer took control of the match in a mesmerising 30 minute period.
As if under a magic spell de Beer, no stranger to England having played with London Scottish, dropped into the pocket to slot a world record five drop goals to demoralise England and clinch a 44-21 victory.
Furthermore the record was no fluke. South Africa coach Nick Mallet had identified the drop goal as an affective attacking tool against the English whose lack of pace in the forwards meant they might not be able to block the kicks.
The plan, though, still relied heavily on the inspired boot of de Beer from the ground, the fly half converting all of his kicks at goal.
Despite this record and this heroic and outstanding performance de Beer played only one more game in Springbok colours, his 13th and final cap coming in their semi final defeat, 27-21 after extra time, against Australia.