Rhyno Smith is quick to point out that his name is actually not pronounced like the animal.

The confusion is understandable, for now.

CLICK HERE TO READ PART ONE OF OUR INTERVIEW WITH RHYNO ON THE CHEETAHS EARLY SEASON FORM

But if the Toyota Cheetahs full-back’s meteoric form continues this season, you can be sure it won’t be long before everyone knows his name.

Smith has been tearing up defences in in the first three rounds of this new season, he leads the league in tries, carries and clean breaks and the free-scoring Cheetahs top Conference A.

But the 26-year-old has had to bide his time before hitting the heights.

Despite going to a prominent high school in Paarl that produced Springboks like Corne Krige and Frans Malherbe, Smith was overlooked at provincial age-group level.

Then after getting his breakthrough and a contract with the Sharks, his career again stalled.

Those whips 👌@CheetahsRugby made it look easy against one of the best defensive teams in the #GuinnessPRO14 last week 😳

Who's backing them to make the Final Series this season? 👊 pic.twitter.com/x0IvZ4C7zF
— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) 16 October 2019