Duane Vermeulen had just one training session with Ulster prior to making his debut at the weekend.
In a further testament to the influence of the South African World Cup winner, even that outing was stop-start, according to attack coach Dan Soper.
Signed in mid-September, the 35-year-old number eight was on international duty until the end of November and his integration into Dan McFarland's squad was further delayed when he tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in Belfast two weeks ago.
That ruled him out of the URC match with Ospreys, but McFarland felt he had done enough in the limited training time to start in the Heineken Champions Cup win away to Clermont on Saturday.
"He went really well, first and foremost," said assistant coach Soper.
"It was a big ask, he got one training session and he was in and out of that a wee bit but, look, he's a very smart experienced rugby player.
"He has experienced moving clubs in his career and he knows well what are the important things he needs to get a handle on.
"We tried to make it as simple as we could for him during the week, just let him get out there and get into it.
"The team were very supportive around him, particularly the likes of Alan O’Connor with lineouts and stuff, and got him up to speed and as you saw the lineout was very effective.
"It’s great to have him and great to have him out there and everyone took a lot of confidence from having him as part of the team."
One of the men who got up close and personal with the former Toulon and Bulls player was wing forward Nick Timoney (above), who got a crucial try against the Top14 side in their 29-23 win.
"He's a real nice guy and a real calming presence," said the Dubliner.
"In terms of training so far, he’s trying to learn the plays and we’re trying to learn from him so last week was helping each other and making sure he had everything down.
"Maybe it’s a bit early and there’s a lot to learn and get through in a short period of time, so I was impressed by that.
"In terms of getting to know him in training, it has been limited.
"Playing with him was great, he’s one of the best players in the world, so he has a poise about him that breeds confidence.
"I’m looking forward to the coming weeks, to train with more and see him outside of the game as well."
Asked if the Springboks forward is someone that could push Ulster to the next level – winning a trophy – Timoney said: "Yeah, I think so.
"Obviously, someone like me, I’ve never won anything, any trophies in professional rugby.
"Winning is something you get used to and it becomes a habit, something you learn to do more and more.
"You already have players from other teams and who have done it with Ireland and the Lions, the more you add to that list of people with a track record of winning and steering places in the right direction, which Duane does.
"He’s won a World Cup pretty recently and was a pretty key driving force to that. It’s early days now, he’s still new to the group.
"Looking at his CV and what he’s done and how he’s played for the last 12-14 years, he certainly seems like someone who can take us in that direction."
