Raymond turns back clock to find his mojo

For Springbok rightwing Raymond Rhule (right), the ice was finally broken when he scored his first try in Test rugby in the Rugby Championship against Argentina in Port Elizabeth last weekend.

Rhule, 24, said it was amazing to have scored his first Test try, even though he had to wait four games for it.

“You start wondering is it ever going to come, but last weekend it did and obviously we work hard as a unit to get better,” he said.

Together with Rhule, leftwing Courtnall Skosan also scored his first, which has left fullback Andries Coetzee in the back three as the odd one out.

“So Courtnall and I feel relieved, sorry for Andries who hasn’t got his first try yet, but he came close on a few occasions.

“But the nice thing is that we share that moment with a lot of guys and it’s really amazing how we became brothers and care for each other.

“It was an amazing feeling but even more special to share it among the other guys,” he said.

Rhule said between the June series and the Championship they kept in touch and with the Lions doing so well in Super Rugby said it was just amazing how the guys were all just wishing them the best.

“They fell at the final hurdle but we all said we are trying to give the Lions players one better as a team.”

Rhule became a Bok tourist in 2012 already but had to wait five years to make his Test debut.

“It wasn’t easy, I’ll be honest, if you expect a lot of yourself. For me the difference was when I spoke to coach Franco (Smith, Bok backline coach and Cheetahs director of rugby) and said I want to be a Bok again.

“He asked me what has been the difference between then and now and I told him I used to enjoy my rugby. He said ‘well go and enjoy it again’ … and here I am.”