“Chester had a big influence in my sporting career. He was the one who gave me the opportunity, when no one else did,” said Arendse.

“That carried me through Varsity Rugby. It’s quite sad that Chester was not able to witness me playing for the Springboks.

“Sometimes, I think back when things didn’t go well in the game, he would say just pass the ball to Kurt-Lee. It gave me a lot of confidence.”

So what advice can Arendse give other kids who face a similar journey?

The schoolboy player who didn’t feature at the Craven Week. The kid who’s dream is on hold because he needs to work a casual job to make feed himself and his family.

“Paulus Joubert is a big rugby school, especially when it comes to derbies. But not big enough that other players will get bursaries to other schools,” said Arendse.

“There wasn’t a lot of facilities like gyms where I went to school. But if you focus on that too much, it will be hard to make it,” said Arendse.

“You have to use anything and everything to your advantage for your dreams, then nothing can stand in your way.”

On September 6, it was exactly five years since Chester Williams passed away. But his legacy lives on with every try Arendse scores in a Springboks jersey.

@JohnGoliath82