Robert Baloucoune says he's a patient man, and you'd be inclined to believe him.
The Ulster wing will win his third Ireland cap this Saturday against the Springboks, almost 12 months on from his second, and 16 months from his first.
He made a memorable start to his Test career, scoring a stunning individual try on debut against the USA, and earning a second cap this time last year against Argentina.
But the first half of 2022 proved to be one of frustration. An injury for Ulster during the Champions Cup saw him lose out on minutes at just the wrong moment, as Mack Hansen passed him in the winger queue when the Six Nations rolled around.
And while his form never dipped for Ulster, a hip injury suffered in their agonising URC semi-final defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town saw him miss out on a spot on the summer tour of New Zealand, which he admits was a tough one to watch from home.
"I tore the tendon in my hip, and it was bad timing, missed the New Zealand tour and it was pretty disappointing, pretty gutted to watch it," he sayd.
"Obviously it was a great result, and great for the lads, but you want to be part of that situation and experience, so I was kind of gutted to miss that.
"I'm a pretty patient guy to be honest. The injuries, yeah they were disappointing, but I knew I would be back, and my main point was just trying to get back and trying to get stronger.
"I’ve had a few setbacks but I’ve never really been down on it, I’ve just been trying to get past that stage and get back into being fit and healthy as quickly as possible."
Baloucoune returns to the Irish squad via Emerging Ireland (below), having toured South Africa with Simon Easterby's side last month, and impressing in the wins against the Griquas and Cheetahs.
As a full international and a first choice for Ulster, the 25-year-old's inclusion on that trip came as a surprise to some, it wasn't to him.
"I thought I was going to be called up, I had a feeling just because I had missed the New Zealand tour. It was definitely a good opportunity for me to be in that environment again and try to work on the things that they had tried to get me involved with.
"Obviously it was kind of hard because Ulster were also playing big games in the URC and missing those, especially the Leinster game at home, I would have loved to be involved, even though it was raining and not really a winger's day. Those are the games you want to be involved in, playing against the top teams.
"But I really enjoyed the Emerging tour and got to meet a load of guys as well, boys that were passionate coming through and really wanting to learn. I really enjoyed it.
"It was more just to get into the flow of how Irish rugby plays, because it's different to Ulster and what I do with Ulster. Some one-on-one things, getting into the flow of things and trying to do it in the environment I’m playing."
The Enniskillen man's game is built around his speed, with Andy Farrell saying he gives them "something different" on the wing.
However, with South Africa's game built on the fundamentals of territory and set-piece, he knows he will have to be ready to nail the basics against his opposite man Makazole Mapimpi.
"It’s going to be an aerial game, we know the Springboks love to kick, and they’ve got pace on the wing, so I’m just trying to back myself and my pace, and getting as many involvements as I can throughout the game.
"I’ve played a lot of the guys we’re coming up against; Mapimpi, I’ve played against him, so it’s a wee bit easier, because I’ve experienced it already. Obviously this will be a different situation playing with Ireland, but one I’m looking forward to."
And with next year's World Cup on the horizon, he says this week's training sessions with up to 50 players have been a stark reminder than when the opportunity arises, it has to be taken.
"It's a great opportunity, and no better to do it than against the back three we’re coming up against. It’s a huge opportunity for me and then all I can do is try my best out there and try perform like I’ve been performing recently.
"There’s always boys on people’s heels so it definitely drives standards in camp, and I suppose I know a lot of the boys know because I was on the Emerging tour and I’ve been in camp as well, so I know that everyone is passionate to play and everyone is biting at the heels to try get the opportunity," he adds.
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