When 29-year-old centre Isaac Te Tamaki pulls on his Southland Stags jersey this Saturday, it will fit a little differently from other games.
There may be a tightness to the fit due to the pride he should feel as he prepares to play his 50th game for the team.
As well as his jersey, he will also be sporting an additional accessory — the coveted cap he has earned for playing 50 matches for the Stags.
Te Tamaki said his initial reaction was disbelief, and he wanted the figures checked before he could enjoy the accolade.
"To be honest, at the start of the week when I got told that it was my 50th, I wasn't sure the maths was right.
"I thought I was a couple off, but they fact-checked it and it was correct.
"It's an awesome opportunity for us to hopefully go out there and finish the season on a high, not only just with me playing my 50th, but also Bekhuis and his record-breaking game this weekend, too," Te Tamaki said.
The Waikato-raised and Hamilton-bred international representative becomes the 64th player in the history of the Southland Stags to reach the half-century mark, which is a testament to his dedication and resilience as part of the team.
He made his move south in 2018 after showcasing his talents with the New Zealand Sevens team, where he quickly made a name for himself as a dynamic player.
Later that year, in a match against Hawke’s Bay, Te Tamaki made his debut for the Stags, immediately demonstrating his potential and determination on the field.
"Southland is the province that gave me the opportunity to get back into playing 15s and playing that side of rugby professionally once I finished up with Sevens.
"So, I’m paying them back with my loyalty to the team to come back and play in the jersey, which is awesome."
Te Tamaki credits his whanau for installing and investing a lot in him to have a successful career.
"I'm grateful for every one of them and every little part that they've played in it."
Stags fans are called to claim their territory and show up to Rugby Park this Saturday, to support the record-breaking Bekhuis and 50th capped player Te Tamaki and the Stags as they battle it out against North Harbour.
