Educated at the illustrious Kearsney College, James Hall rose to national prominence in 2014 when a 62-metre penalty kick drew jaw-dropping admiration. The online sensation followed with a 53-metre effort the following week, leading to selection for the Natal Sharks at the U18 Craven Week. A standout performer at the age-group level, James subsequently signed a junior provincial contract with the EP Kings, playing an integral role in their title-winning U19 Currie Cup campaign of 2015. The ruthlessly aggressive halfback earned his Super Rugby debut in the colours of the Southern Kings a few months later, before representing South Africa at the World Rugby U20 Championships in Manchester, catching the eye of the Pro D2’s ambitious Oyonnax.

Blessed with a crisp pass, humble work ethic and pinpoint kicking game, the confident scrumhalf featured prominently in the club’s promotion to the Top 14, as well as the European Challenge Cup. Despite Oyonnax’s return to the second tier of the French game in 2018/19, powerhouse Parisian club Stade Français aggressively recruited the playmaker who had already tallied just shy of 100 professional appearances by the age of 24. Superbly conditioned, continually evolving and with possibly another decade left at the highest level, James Hall is a once in a generation talent.