THE British & Irish Lions is fast approaching, with players ready to write themselves in folklore against the Springboks.
Many of the players are used to playing in the biggest games having forged their career in the professional youth ranks before stepping up to senior rugby.
But for other players in Warren Gatland's squad, the road to the top has been considerably more gruelling.
#1. Chris Harris (Scotland)
Since making his Scotland debut in 2017, Harris has accumulated 28 caps and become a key figure in the heart of their midfield.
However, he only signed a professional contract four years before that, joining Newcastle Falcons in 2013 after impressing at National League side Tynedale while studying architecture at Northumbria University.
#2. Liam Williams (Wales)
Despite his aptitude for rugby and natural talent it didn't result in him being picked up by a regional academy.
It was through club rugby with local club Waunarlwydd that Williams was spotted by the Scarlets, meaning life as a scaffolder came to an end aged 20.
#3. Finn Russell (Scotland)
After secondary school, the Scotland star pursued an apprenticeship for three years as a stonemason, in a business owned by a family friend, whilst his rugby developed.
Pocketing £300 per week, supplemented by £50 in his hand from Falkirk Rugby Club, Russell is now one of the pre-eminent stand-offs in world rugby and certainly one of the most exciting.
From the bottom to the top quite literally.
#4. Jonny Hill (England)
Having tried his hand at rugby in his youth, joining local club Luctonians aged nine, Hill initially favoured football before a failed college application forced him into an unexpected gap year.
Hill returned to Luctonians and after being encouraged to turn up to a walk-up trial at Hartpury College aged 17, he became a first-team fixture at the National League Two South side.
A brief spell at Gloucester Rugby followed his two seasons at Hartpury, which also saw him receive an England U20 call-up, but it is at Exeter Chiefs where his career has flourished.
His performances for his club saw international recognition follow, with Hill becoming an Eddie Jones favourite since playing the final game of England’s 2020 Six Nations triumph.
#5. Rory Sutherland (Scotland)
Sutherland came through the ranks with his hometown club and school sides before representing the Borders and Scotland at under-17 and under-18 in the back-row.
He switched to loose-head prop during his first season of senior rugby at Hawick and, after a season with Biggar, caught the attention of RBS Premiership runners-up and Border League winners Gala before signing with Edinburgh.
