It is good to be back in South Africa after a three-year stint with the Dragons in Wales, new Southern Kings signing Sarel Pretorius said.
The 34-year-old scrumhalf is one of three new faces in the Kings team before their opening PRO14 match against Zebre in Parma on September 1.
Other confirmed new signings are locks JC Astle and Schalk Oelofse from French club Mont-de-Marsan.
The experienced Pretorius played in the Currie Cup for the Griquas and made his Super Rugby debut for the Cheetahs in 2009 against the Western Force.
In 2008 he played for the Emerging Springboks and in 2009 he represented the Royal XV against the touring British and Irish Lions.
Pretorius signed for the Waratahs in 2012, but returned after just a single season to play for the Cheetahs again.
“I did not know what to expect in the beginning when I arrived in Port Elizabeth,” Pretorius said.
“But it is good to be back in a South African environment at home with your fellow countrymen. My family and I have settled in very well to life in Port Elizabeth and we feel at home already.
“I was at the Dragons for three years and I really enjoyed my stint there.
“I improved on aspects of my game like kicking.
“It is very wet in Wales and you have to work very hard on your basics.”
Pretorius said overseas clubs were able to keep their players fresh by rotating their squads.
“They have squads of between 40 and 50 players.
“That enables them to rest their senior players and keep everyone fresh.
“It all has to do with finances and they have extra depth with their academies.
“If somebody gets injured they have options.”
The attack-minded No 9 says the Kings will be much better prepared this time compared with last season.
“From what I have seen, the Kings are streets ahead from where they were last season.
“Last year, they only had a week to prepare.
“The guys that come later can just fill in because the foundations have already been laid.
“I think our conditioning coach Nadus Nieuwoudt has done a great job and all the guys are willing to work and learn.”
Pretorius said that if things could be sorted out behind the scenes in Port Elizabeth, the region could become a major force in South African rugby.
“There is a lot of potential here in the Bay.
“Not long ago the Kings were beating top teams in Super Rugby.
“If you can keep those core guys here it will make a difference.
“In the past the Kings have lost players and have been forced to build from the bottom again.”