‘Lions are a perfect fit’

For new Lions scrumhalf and former Bulls player Andre Warner, the move across the Jukskei River was simply the right thing to do.

The 26-year-old Warner (below), who played in the Craven Week schools’ tournament for Western Province, joined the Bulls in 2013.

Ahead of the 2020 season, however, he felt he needed a new challenge in his career.

“There’s no ill-feelings towards the Bulls,” Warner said.

“They and Tuks were good for me. I just felt in terms of my career I needed a change and I felt it was the correct call to come to the Lions.

“It’s great being at the Lions. Pre-season was tough but I learned a lot and got used to their structures and settled in well.”

Warner enjoyed his first run for the Lions against his former team last week, and he believed they were prepared for their Super Rugby opener against the Jaguares next week.

“All the warm-ups have one goal in mind and that is the opening Super Rugby match, but we are not talking about what a tough game it could be,” he said.

“It’s more about focusing on what we can do well, things we have to get in order now to be ready.”

The Lions wanted to create a new identity, Warner added, as there were a lot of new faces in the squad.

“The culture is there but we have to create our own successes.

“The short-term goal will be to win the competition, and for myself I want to make a sound contribution to the team. The dream is always there to become a Bok – that is what all players strive towards – so we are just going to keep the heads down.” With Ross Cronje still on the injured list, Warner was competing with Dillon Smit and Morne van der Berg for a spot in the team. “Ross is a superb guy and he made me feel very welcome,” Warner said.