As the full-time whistle blew on Saturday night in Pretoria, Duncan Weir charged up the touchline to embrace his Glasgow Warriors team-mates and celebrate their United Rugby Championship triumph.
But for the 33-year-old, it was not a completely new experience, having been part of the title-winning team of nine years ago.
Weir made it onto the field that day in Belfast but this time had to watch on as his team-mates clawed back a 13-point deficit to stun the Bulls on their own patch.
READ MORE: Five things we learned as Glasgow crowned URC champions
The former Scotland international was ready to come on but was denied the chance after Tom Jordan – the man he was set to replace – was shown a yellow card with two minutes left.
Upon returning to Glasgow on Monday afternoon, he said: “It’s pretty special. I was reflecting on it on the plane and the way the team did this time around was a little bit more special given the route that we’ve taken and with the South African teams coming into the league, making it stronger.
“I’m immensely proud and I can’t wait to get home, have a shower, see the kids and water it down with a couple more beers.”
Weir was at the forefront of the post-match celebrations, much to the amusement of his children back home.
“Every photographer just seemed to be watching me being a lunatic, and not catching anyone else being a lunatic.
“But it was brilliant to see all those pictures and the kids found it really funny.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling and one that’s probably going to take a while to properly sink in.”
When Weir spoke to the media earlier this season, he said Franco Smith’s squad reminded him of the 2015 champions.
The Cambuslang-raised fly-half was relieved the squad backed up that comparison by also lifting the trophy.
READ MORE: Duncan Weir makes comparison with 2015 title-winning team
Weir added: “I could feel that same squad energy, the same vibe around the place.
“It was the manner in which we did it - going away to Thomond and then having 50,000 people against you [at Loftus] in a pretty hostile environment at altitude, with the short turnaround with the travel.
“All the little bits of the jigsaw were a funny shape and it looked as if they might struggle to fit into the perfect picture but we managed to squeeze it together.
“I thought the boys were outstanding.
“I’m just so happy that after all that effort we’ve come away at the right side of it.”
Weir insisted not appearing in the final did not take anything away from the celebrations.
“Obviously, the icing on the cake is getting on but I understand how much graft has gone into this season to get us to where we are, so there was no sadness at the full-time whistle as you could probably tell with the social media posts.”
Having been there, done it and got the t-shirt before, Weir knows the importance of this squad building on their achievement, something the 2015 side was not able to do.
“When I came back to the club [in 2021] boys were asking me how that 2015 win felt and I’m so happy that they’re getting to experience this.
“I think the manner of the 2015 win was a wee bit different. After Naks [Leone Nakarawa] set up the opening try,] we were pretty much in complete control of that Munster final.
“But the nature of grinding out such a physical and brutal encounter at Pretoria was a different feeling.
“I’m so happy for those guys that they get to experience that.”
At 33, Weir also knows the importance of making the most of these occasions.
He added: “I’ve often thought I’ve not celebrated the little wins earlier in my career. It was a case of ‘on to the next job and going again and achieving another milestone’, but this time I’m going to take the time to celebrate this one properly and I’m sure everyone else is because it’s been a long season.
“I’m so proud to be part of it and and I can’t wait to enjoy it.”
He was similarly delighted to have received a message of congratulations from his childhood sporting hero, Rangers legend Ally McCoist.
“He was my hero growing up as a Rangers fan in Glasgow and it’s special when an achievement goes outside the rugby circle. They were some nice words and it feels good.”
While Weir knows the Warriors must back up their achievements next season, he revealed head coach Smith – who has proved himself to be a man with a plan since arriving at Scotstoun two years ago – has not broached the subject of next season with the players just yet.
“No, we’ve not touched on that yet, just living in the present and enjoying the moment.”
The Warriors will continue their celebrations with a sold out event at their Scotstoun home in front of 4,500 supporters on Tuesday evening.
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