Dragons latest signing Tonderai Chavhanga has been talking to the Dragons Official Website about settling in at the region, Gladiators and the weather!
Welcome to the region. How have you found it your first few days?
It's a lot warmer than expected. It's been really great being here. It's been a while and finally I'm here. I'm glad to be here and I had a great session with the guys yesterday.
So what made you want to come here?
There have been a few South Africans that have played for the Dragons: Percy, Bobby Skinstad, there's quite a few guys so when the opportunity came I pounced on it. They play a running brand of rugby which is something I enjoy so hopefully I can fit into that.
What had you heard about the Dragons and the League before this?
I played against the Newport-Gwent Dragons back in 2005 so I had some kind of experience with them. I heard that the League is a lot faster than the Premiership which is something I tried to meet here.
Tell us more about yourself, obviously people here won't know an enormous amount about you. You played for the Golden Lions and South Africa but just a bit more colour about your rugby background.
I started out playing school-boy rugby is Zimbabwe and from there I got picked up by scouts in South Africa and went to play at the Cheetahs. Then from the Cheetahs I got picked for the Springboks Sevens then the South Africa Under-21s. Then I got drafted into the Stormers and I was there for about seven seasons then from there I moved to the Lions.
What did those scouts see in super-fast Tonderai?
Well I think obviously they would have seen a bit of speed and I think they worked a little bit extra just in terms of my all-round performance. I've been played for a while but I still think I've got a while to go before I can be happy about my all-round performance.
Now don't be modest: just how fast are you?
I'm alright. I'm not slow.
They say you're the fastest man in World Rugby.
There are a number of guys that can claim that spot. I think, in Wales, Shane Williams has been around for a while and yet he's still looking really well and really fast. In South Africa there's a number of fast guys and if you look at the Islanders they're always fast. I don't think anyone can claim that spot.
If it were you, Brian Habana and a cheetah in the same race? But seriously is athletics something you've done? What are your times over one hundred metres?
I did athletics at school and I think my fastest time was 10.5. It's not too bad.
And Brian Habana, did you play against him?
I've played against him and I've played with him, we started around the same time, but like I said there's faster guys in South Africa than Brian Habana. Brain is explosive but there's certainly one or two guys that are faster.
Last couple of years you've had a few injuries. What's been the situation there?
I had more injuries in the beginning of my career, a few hamstring and quad injuries. I think over the last two or three years I've sort of learnt a lot more about my body and how to manage it and I've had a lot less injuries.
And it's not just the speed. We've been hearing that you play fall-back, got a few more of the all-round rugby skills. Maybe people emphasis too much on just the speed: there's a lot more to you.
I'd like to think so. But like I said I still got a bit to learn. Having speed is not enough, you've got to be as well-rounded as you can be. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the ball and fine-tuning my overall skills.
Darren and the coaching team are big believers in spreading it wide, using the wings, using a bit of width. Did you know that beforehand? Was that a factor in coming here?
Certainly. When I was speaking to my agent about the Dragons that was what he was saying that the Dragons love to spread the ball around especially in the League as a whole.
And the crowd here are quite close to the pitch, it's quite a different ground, it's an old-fashioned rugby ground. If you become a fan favourite here it could be really quite special.
I see it's like the old Newlands ground: the seats used to be really close to the pitch, which is great. I'm hoping I can put in some really good performances and make the crowd happy.
In terms of the future - you're here for a year with options - is the ambition to stay here; is it a stepping stone; now you're fully fit, do you have Springbok ambitions; where do you see your next few years?
I think my main goal at the moment is to establish myself in the team and to be of service, wherever the coach wants me in the team. That is my main goal, to just settle down. I'm not thinking to much about my future, I'm just making sure I do my job week-by-week. That's my main priority at the moment.
As soon as you arrive there's a heatwave: did you order this specifically for your brand of rugby?
I spoke to a few people before coming here and everyone was talking about the wet weather so I was very concerned. Before I came here I had a look on the internet for the weather and I thought "Well, that's not too bad."
Some of the ground here has recently been redeveloped, this is a new stand, so are you impressed with the new facilities?
It looks really fantastic, really world-class. I can't wait to run on.
Are you looking forward to the game against Ulster?
Definitely, yes. I think Ulster has one guy that I played with and I'm looking forward to getting out into the field. There's no better way to start, starting at home is such an awesome opportunity for me.
There's some of your future team mates playing in the World Cup at the moment so when Wales were playing South Africa I suppose you had an interest in both sides.
I know. We've got a young side and the guys over there are also young guys and they're doing very well. Obviously when they come back they're going to improve the team so much.
You've got quite a reputation for scoring tries. You scored six on your South African debut. Are you going to carry that on now?
It's always awesome to score a try but I think I've got to make sure that I don't necessarily hunt for tries but I've got to serve the team in whatever way that I'm needed. I'm sure one of my main roles will be to score tries though and I certainly hope that I'll be crossing that white line a few times this season.
Where does your speed come from? Do you come from a sporting family?
There's definitely an athletic gene on my family on my mother's side. My mum used to do a bit of running and a few of my uncles were big athletes. My one uncle was a gladiator on this show in South Africa called the gladiators. I think once, some time back, he was one of the strongest men in South Africa. I think that's where it comes from.
What was his name on Gladiators?
It was Warrior.
Do you think you clicked with the other guys in training? Were you impressed with the backs?
The skill level is very good. As for me, it's just a matter of getting my heart rate going, getting used to the conditions. It's been really good.
When Percy Montgomery came to Wales, he kind of revived his international career and ended up winning the World Cup in 2007. Do you think you'll be equally successful?
I think before Percy came here he wasn't at the top of his game but something in the water here maybe got him going again and winning the World Cup for South Africa. I hope it'll be the same for me.
Welcome to the region. How have you found it your first few days?
It's a lot warmer than expected. It's been really great being here. It's been a while and finally I'm here. I'm glad to be here and I had a great session with the guys yesterday.
So what made you want to come here?
There have been a few South Africans that have played for the Dragons: Percy, Bobby Skinstad, there's quite a few guys so when the opportunity came I pounced on it. They play a running brand of rugby which is something I enjoy so hopefully I can fit into that.
What had you heard about the Dragons and the League before this?
I played against the Newport-Gwent Dragons back in 2005 so I had some kind of experience with them. I heard that the League is a lot faster than the Premiership which is something I tried to meet here.
Tell us more about yourself, obviously people here won't know an enormous amount about you. You played for the Golden Lions and South Africa but just a bit more colour about your rugby background.
I started out playing school-boy rugby is Zimbabwe and from there I got picked up by scouts in South Africa and went to play at the Cheetahs. Then from the Cheetahs I got picked for the Springboks Sevens then the South Africa Under-21s. Then I got drafted into the Stormers and I was there for about seven seasons then from there I moved to the Lions.
What did those scouts see in super-fast Tonderai?
Well I think obviously they would have seen a bit of speed and I think they worked a little bit extra just in terms of my all-round performance. I've been played for a while but I still think I've got a while to go before I can be happy about my all-round performance.
Now don't be modest: just how fast are you?
I'm alright. I'm not slow.
They say you're the fastest man in World Rugby.
There are a number of guys that can claim that spot. I think, in Wales, Shane Williams has been around for a while and yet he's still looking really well and really fast. In South Africa there's a number of fast guys and if you look at the Islanders they're always fast. I don't think anyone can claim that spot.
If it were you, Brian Habana and a cheetah in the same race? But seriously is athletics something you've done? What are your times over one hundred metres?
I did athletics at school and I think my fastest time was 10.5. It's not too bad.
And Brian Habana, did you play against him?
I've played against him and I've played with him, we started around the same time, but like I said there's faster guys in South Africa than Brian Habana. Brain is explosive but there's certainly one or two guys that are faster.
Last couple of years you've had a few injuries. What's been the situation there?
I had more injuries in the beginning of my career, a few hamstring and quad injuries. I think over the last two or three years I've sort of learnt a lot more about my body and how to manage it and I've had a lot less injuries.
And it's not just the speed. We've been hearing that you play fall-back, got a few more of the all-round rugby skills. Maybe people emphasis too much on just the speed: there's a lot more to you.
I'd like to think so. But like I said I still got a bit to learn. Having speed is not enough, you've got to be as well-rounded as you can be. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the ball and fine-tuning my overall skills.
Darren and the coaching team are big believers in spreading it wide, using the wings, using a bit of width. Did you know that beforehand? Was that a factor in coming here?
Certainly. When I was speaking to my agent about the Dragons that was what he was saying that the Dragons love to spread the ball around especially in the League as a whole.
And the crowd here are quite close to the pitch, it's quite a different ground, it's an old-fashioned rugby ground. If you become a fan favourite here it could be really quite special.
I see it's like the old Newlands ground: the seats used to be really close to the pitch, which is great. I'm hoping I can put in some really good performances and make the crowd happy.
In terms of the future - you're here for a year with options - is the ambition to stay here; is it a stepping stone; now you're fully fit, do you have Springbok ambitions; where do you see your next few years?
I think my main goal at the moment is to establish myself in the team and to be of service, wherever the coach wants me in the team. That is my main goal, to just settle down. I'm not thinking to much about my future, I'm just making sure I do my job week-by-week. That's my main priority at the moment.
As soon as you arrive there's a heatwave: did you order this specifically for your brand of rugby?
I spoke to a few people before coming here and everyone was talking about the wet weather so I was very concerned. Before I came here I had a look on the internet for the weather and I thought "Well, that's not too bad."
Some of the ground here has recently been redeveloped, this is a new stand, so are you impressed with the new facilities?
It looks really fantastic, really world-class. I can't wait to run on.
Are you looking forward to the game against Ulster?
Definitely, yes. I think Ulster has one guy that I played with and I'm looking forward to getting out into the field. There's no better way to start, starting at home is such an awesome opportunity for me.
There's some of your future team mates playing in the World Cup at the moment so when Wales were playing South Africa I suppose you had an interest in both sides.
I know. We've got a young side and the guys over there are also young guys and they're doing very well. Obviously when they come back they're going to improve the team so much.
You've got quite a reputation for scoring tries. You scored six on your South African debut. Are you going to carry that on now?
It's always awesome to score a try but I think I've got to make sure that I don't necessarily hunt for tries but I've got to serve the team in whatever way that I'm needed. I'm sure one of my main roles will be to score tries though and I certainly hope that I'll be crossing that white line a few times this season.
Where does your speed come from? Do you come from a sporting family?
There's definitely an athletic gene on my family on my mother's side. My mum used to do a bit of running and a few of my uncles were big athletes. My one uncle was a gladiator on this show in South Africa called the gladiators. I think once, some time back, he was one of the strongest men in South Africa. I think that's where it comes from.
What was his name on Gladiators?
It was Warrior.
Do you think you clicked with the other guys in training? Were you impressed with the backs?
The skill level is very good. As for me, it's just a matter of getting my heart rate going, getting used to the conditions. It's been really good.
When Percy Montgomery came to Wales, he kind of revived his international career and ended up winning the World Cup in 2007. Do you think you'll be equally successful?
I think before Percy came here he wasn't at the top of his game but something in the water here maybe got him going again and winning the World Cup for South Africa. I hope it'll be the same for me.
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