Jake White strolled into the Wallabies team hotel in Newlands on Thursday and his "reappearance" was perfectly timed for Joe Tomane.
The World Cup-winning coach, who controversially and mysteriously walked out on the Brumbies exactly 12 months ago, is the man Tomane still thanks for setting him on his path to Test rugby.
"It was great to see him," the recalled Wallabies winger said. "He was the mastermind, with Stephen Larkham, behind my move back to rugby from the NRL.
"He helped mould me into the person I am today."
But there was no inside information from White, who headed home after missing Australia's coaching job, on how the dynamic 24-year-old could best handle South Africa's back three of Cornal Hendricks, Bryan Habana and Willie le Roux.
The former Springboks mentor, now with the Sharks, only had one piece of advice: "Run hard".
Tomane, picked ahead of Perth match-winner Rob Horne after overcoming a hamstring strain, will definitely be doing just that as he aims to nail down the No.11 jersey before Henry Speight gets his long-awaited Test debut.
"I can't wait," he said. "It's been a while.
"It's a really good opportunity for me to lock down a starting spot.
"The competition we have for wing spots in Australia is amazing.
"That is keeping me on my toes and make sure I stay on top of my game as well.
"Henry is down in Canberra slaving away and he's looking amazing."
It was Tomane's late-season 2013 form - scoring tries against Argentina, Italy and Wales - that had him well in Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie's 2014 plans before cheekbone and hamstring injuries struck.
The former Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans flyer won't have any trouble rekindling his dangerous combination with Marsden High schoolmate Israel Folau, but is on guard for South Africa's outside backs.
"They're all fast and speed kills," he said. "Hopefully they don't burn me."
Asked what the Wallabies have to counter the Boks' pace, he exclaimed: "Israel!"
"No, we have speed, size ... and tatts, we've got tatts too."
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