Should Sam Wainwright take the field in Bloemfontein in Wales' second summer Test, it will be the culmination of more than a decade's worth of sacrifice and dedication.
Coming from Bodelwyddan, a small village just south of Rhyl, Wainwright's journey to the national squad has not been an easy one. With Wales' four professional regions all based along the M4 corridor, making it to the top when you reside in north Wales is not a straightforward journey.
But from the age of 12, the tight-head prop had his heart set on rugby. While his family went on caravan holidays in the UK to places like Southport, they would never stray much further as they would drive back home so the budding young rugby star could make training sessions and trials.
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For 15 years, mum Linda, dad Shaun, sister Roxanne, 34, and twin sister Savannah, 24, did not go on a holiday abroad so that Wainwright could put all his effort into rugby. Not once did he complain. He also never drank as he committed himself to reaching his potential.
Speaking to WalesOnline at a hotel in Bloemfontein, Linda says: “Growing up, Sam was rough and ready – a typical lad. He struggled at school with his dyslexia but when he went to college, that just opened things up. He did his BTEC in sport and a qualification in personal training, so he’s got the back-up there.
“He had these boards where he had goals that he wanted to tick off every year. He never went out drinking. Rugby has been his life.
“We were lucky that Sam had good support around him. I had an operation on my foot and Roxanne would step in and take Sam up to training at RGC. Savannah used to hold the bag for him in the garden and he’d run towards her!
“We never went on holiday. Well, we went caravanning but we haven’t been abroad for 15 years so that he could go to training or trials. It’s been worth it and we’d do it all again.”
Growing up, Wainwright would watch the likes of Welsh rugby legend Adam Jones and New Zealand's famous Franks brothers, Owen and Ben. He would analyse their performances and figure out what he could add to his own game in order to develop it.
After beginning his rugby journey at Rhyl RFC - where he has since dished out end-of-season awards to junior kids at the club - Wainwright went on to come through at RGC, where he really started to develop. Scarlets' legendary prop Phil John, who made more than 300 appearances for the club, was in charge up north when Wainwright came through and passed on a substantial amount of knowledge.
Former Welsh rugby player Andrew Fenby, who was running a rugby agency at the time, came along and signed up his first north Walian. He helped Wainwright secure a startling move to English rugby giants Saracens, which has only served to bring his game on substantially while surrounded by world-class players.
“For us to have Andrew on board at that time was crucial," Linda says. "Suddenly Sam has got Vincent Koch, Mako Vunipola, all these guys around him.”
Dad Shaun adds: “When he went to Saracens, people were saying about game time but we always knew he might not get a lot because of the calibre of player around him. But what he wanted was the development side, to get to where he needs to. They’ve seen something in him and they’re putting that effort into him.”
Wainwright has made a number of appearances for Saracens but is yet to start a professional game for them, but he has spent time honing his craft out on loan at Ampthill. But Wales boss Wayne Pivac has been watching and put the call in when Leon Brown was struck down prior to the summer tour of South Africa.
It seemed as though the 24-year-old was due to get some valuable time in camp with the senior national side, though it always looked as though he would need injuries to see any action. But that didn't deter his parents from jumping on a plane.
"We’ve been through the journey all the way through with him, there’s no way we’d miss this,” says Shaun, before Linda adds: "It’s out of our comfort zone. I’m a bit of a home bird and I have to keep pinching myself that I’m here.”
They will be rewarded by watching their son run out onto the field at Toyota Stadium to possibly take on the world champions and sing the national anthem. Wainwright is named on the bench after Tomas Francis' tour ended abruptly due to a concussion suffered in the opening Test.
There is no guarantee Wainwright will get onto the field, though it is extremely likely with starting prop Dillon Lewis having played for almost the full 80 minutes against a strong 'Bok pack last time out.
Shaun reads a text from one of Sam's boyhood coaches: "You could see from an early age that he was a special talent, it all depended on how far Sam wanted to take it.”
Welling up, Linda adds: "All of Sam’s old rugby mates have been in touch and what’s really nice is they’ve said: ‘If anyone deserves this, then it’s you and your family’. For people to say that is wonderful.
"It’s as if you’re on the outside looking in. I can’t explain it. It’s just something that you’ve always wanted. We just hope that he gets on and that he’s himself.”
As a final point, Shaun concludes: “It’s everything he’s worked for."
The road from north Wales to the Test rugby arena is not well-travelled. If he trots out to achieve his dreams in Bloemfontein, he will have thoroughly deserved it, and it may only be the beginning.
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