Rugby
John Goliath, Special to ESPN 7y

Frank chat with Franco Smith has inspired speedster Rhule

Rugby, Rugby Championship

Raymond Rhule's new lease on life in 2017 has been the result of a frank pre-season discussion with his Cheetahs coach and current Springbok assistant coach Franco Smith.

In 2012 Rhule shone as an outstanding finisher in the triumphant SA Under-20 team that won the Junior World Championship on home soil. His performances then led to a call-up for the Springboks' end-of-year tour, and, although he didn't get a match, a bright future was predicted for the Ghanaian-born speedster.

So, it has come as a surprise to many that Rhule has only managed to make his international debut five years after bursting onto the scene.

Rhule is a natural athlete, blessed with lots of speed to finish off tries. But he tended to try too hard on the field, and may have been a tad selfish.

However, in 2017 he has changed his attitude towards the game, and has brought out a new, creative side that, if used smartly by the Boks, will give the South Africans a new dimension in attack. Rhule is no longer just a racehorse flying down the touchline with blinkers on. He can spot space, offload in the tackle and run smart lines. He is a valuable asset for out wide.

His tackling, however, still needs a lot of work. He missed the most tackles in Super Rugby, and also missed a couple in the June series against France. But he has hardly disgraced himself in his first four Tests for the Springboks. In fact, he is getting better and better with each passing match.

"It wasn't easy, honestly a difficult situation to be in. People expect a lot from you and you expect a lot from yourself," Rhule said of his struggles to play to his ability over the last few years.

"I told coach Franco I want to become a Springbok again. He then asked me, 'What was the difference before?' and I told him I used to enjoy my rugby.

He then told me, 'Why don't you just play to enjoy your rugby, play for your team and don't worry about selection or anything else. Even if you just do the dirty work and not score tries, if you help your team win, the selection sort out itself.'

"It's been a tough road, but I think I have learned a lot and at this moment I'm more matured."

Rhule scored his first Test try for the Boks in their Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Port Elizabeth, which they won 37-15.

It was a bit of a wait for Rhule and his wing partner Courtnall Skosan to cross the line after playing all three Tests during South Africa's June series against France. But both finished off their chances in style against Los Pumas. Now they are only waiting for fullback Andries Coetzee, who also made his debut against the French, to break his duck.

"It's an amazing feeling. Obviously it was three games without a try before this game, and we as a back three have been like 'When is it going to come?' But it eventually came," Rhule said with a big smile.

"The nice part of the try was that you share that moment with a lot of guys who share your joy. It's really amazing how we have become brothers and care for each other.

"Obviously we work hard as a unit, and we try and get better. "Courtnall and I feel sorry for Andries because he hasn't got his try yet, although he has come close a couple of times. But we know it will come."

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