Despite building a 17-0 lead, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Dragons as the South Africans fought back to level the scores around the hour mark.
Lewis starting at 10- after coming on as a replacement for Gavin Henson last week - knows there’s areas for improvement ahead of next week’s test in Dublin against Leinster, but was pleased his side managed to record a first win in the Guinness PRO14 for a year.
“It means a lot to get a first win," said Lewis. “Last week it didn’t go to plan with too many errors, but this week we worked hard again in training and it showed in parts today.
“We still need to tidy up other parts of the game especially as we go to Leinster next and with a bit of confidence behind us so we can hopefully get a win out there as well.”
After starting the three pre-season friendlies since his move from Bath, Lewis stepped aside on the opening night against Benetton to let former Wales and British & Irish Lion Henson start for the Dragons.
After spending time with Rhys Priestland at Bath and now Henson at the Dragons, Lewis says he’s learned from both and accepted the decision to wait for his starting PRO14 debut, but now wants to make the fly half spot his own.
“Bernard pulled me to one side and said I want to go with Gav and I had to respect his decision, but obviously I want to keep the number 10 shirt as mine hopefully I can keep it for next week," he said.
“Gav is a great guy, I’m learning quite a lot from him. I had the luxury of Rhys Priestland ahead of me last year and now with Gavin this year. I’ve learned about game management and playing in the right areas from Gav. Knowing when to strike and when to bring the forwards round etc.
“As long as I’m doing well and sticking to the game plan then hopefully I can keep the shirt.”
Although it made for an entertaining encounter for the neutral, after building a solid 17-point lead the Dragons will be kicking themselves for letting Southern Kings back in to the match and then, whilst playing with fourteen men after a yellow card, the Kings got the tails up and thwarted the Dragons game plan.
Lewis said: “Our game plan going in was to create contestable kicks as we felt they could be vulnerable under the high ball but fair play to them they took every high ball.
“They did score a lovely try fair play, but when Rhodri (Williams) went off we had to tighten everything up with no nine on the field and go through our plays and put the ball back on them to turn it over in their half.
“We gave them two easy tries really. From a short line-out there’s no way we should have given them the space out wide as that’s where they are dangerous.”
Next up for Dragons is Leinster away at the RDS in Dublin, with the European Champions Cup and PRO14 holders expected to bring back more of their Ireland internationals into the mix for team selection.
Lewis yet could find himself going head to head with Jonny Sexton. And it’s a prospect that doesn’t daunt him and one that he hopes to relish.
“Sexton is probably one of the best tens in the world," said Lewis. "To play against him next week would mean a lot to me. Coming from the valleys against the best in the world - it doesn’t get any better than that.”
