Springboks and Sharks centre Lukhanyo Am has lived a fairytale over the past six months, starting with the World Cup title, and his form in Super Rugby is not letting the side down.
After winning the World Cup in Japan, he went on a weeklong victory tour through South Africa, travelled to the UK and Brazil with the Barbarians, returned to become the captain of the Sharks, and is now one of the best players in this year's Super Rugby competition.
The outside centre turned 26 at the end of November, and seems to have matured in leaps and bounds over the last year or two. He has cemented his place in the Boks' midfield after he had to play second fiddle to Jesse Kriel who was often entrusted with the number thirteen jumper.
Am was, however, picked as Damian de Allende's midfield partner ahead of Kriel when Rassie Erasmus announced his team for their World Cup opener against the All Blacks in Yokohama in October. Kriel was selected on the bench but picked up an injury late in the game which ruled him out for the rest of the tournament.
The King William's Town-born Am no longer had to look over his shoulder every game. He was still key to South Africa's solid defence, scored tries against Namibia and Italy, and featured in all the Springboks' matches barring Canada when De Allende played at outside centre with veteran Frans Steyn at 12.
By the time the Boks got to final, Am was beaming with confidence and his audacious no-look pass to Makazole Mapimpi in the final will go down as one of the most unselfish plays in rugby history.
He also played a massive part in Cheslin Kolbe's try in that final and was probably very close to being named man-of-the-match. Duane Vermeulen won the award.
"He's on an absolute high at the moment," Jean de Villiers, former Boks centre and captain, tells ESPN ahead of the Sharks clash against the Jaguares on Saturday.
"What he has achieved over the last year is very special. He has improved with every game that he's played and there aren't any questions about his abilities.
"His story is such a beautiful one and an almost typical South African feel good story. He came through the ranks at Border, played a bit of Super Rugby for the Kings before coming into his own at the Sharks.
"He now has 15 caps and probably is someone who didn't get the credit he deserves for the way he played in the World Cup. He played a pivotal role in that outside centre position and was massive on attack and defense.
"He has now been rewarded with the captaincy at the Sharks and it seems like he is enjoying it at the moment."
Am has been at the centre (literally) of both the Boks' and the Sharks' attacking play but he is often praised for his organisational skills on defense.
De Villiers, who won 109 caps for the Boks, played some rugby on the wing early in his career, but the majority of his tests was played in the midfield.
He says: "I don't think people understand just how difficult it is to defend in that 13 channel. It's difficult to organise the defence from the critical number 13 position but he does it very well.
"At the moment it's very difficult to find any weaknesses in his game but it's evident that he understands his game and he has become extremely important for both the Boks and the Sharks."
The Sharks have won three of their four games thus far, with Am leading from the front. Guys like Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Makazole Mapimpi and Aphelele Fassi are also putting in stellar performances week after week and the Sharks are suddenly looking like one of the top teams in this year's tournament.
De Villiers captained the Boks 37 times in Tests and has been impressed with the way Am has worn the armband: "Captaincy is not only about deciding whether to kick for posts or go to the corner (when you get a penalty).
"It's also not driven by the individual only, you need to have the support of your senior teammates and you need the rest of the team to follow you.
"Lukhanyo is certainly getting that right at the moment and the results show. So, credit to him for that".
With Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit out injured at the moment, new Bok coach Jacques Nienaber and now-director of rugby Rassie Erasmus will certainly be aware of Am's rising credentials as a captain and one of South Africa's best players.