Experienced forward Lewis Evans believes there are no excuses for Dragons not to perform in South Africa as they prepare to jet away next week for back-to-back Guinness PRO14 matches.
Evans is hoping to be part of the touring party that will face Isuzu Southern Kings on Sunday, April 7 in Port Elizabeth before tackling Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday, April 13.
The 31-year-old admits the trip to South Africa last season was a surreal experience for the squad – although hugely beneficial off the field.
However, this season the leading appearance maker for the region is eager for Dragons to produce and eradicate the memories of a heavy defeat to the Kings last year.
“We know it’s going to be tough between now and the end of the season, but we have to meet that challenge,” he said.
“It’s a big opportunity and we have got to step up to it. We’ve had some performances that we are all disappointed by, but the South African double header and Judgement Day gives us a chance to finish on a positive.
“Two weeks in South Africa is big for us,” he added. “It was a good trip last year, in terms of team bonding, but we know we need to perform on the field.
“It was a surreal experience last year. We are used to jumping on planes for an hour to Dublin or Edinburgh so to go nine and half hours to Johannesburg and another hour and half to Port Elizabeth was very different.
“It was surreal and almost reminded me of my Wales Sevens days a decade ago!
“Going away for two weeks, as opposed to one last season, will be good for team morale and building that close bond as we plan for next season too.
“We need to perform, that is the most important thing, and we have two tough games that we need to be ready for.”
Evans was part of the pack as Dragons suffered a 45-13 defeat to the Kings last year at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
However, Dragons did defeat the South Africans when they travelled to Rodney Parade at the start of this season and Evans believes that is a performance they can build on.
“It didn’t go to plan last year,” said Evans. “We were in the game in the first half, but ten minutes of madness saw the game run away from us after the break.
“We defeated the Kings at the start of the season so know how to achieve it.
We feel like we can move forward to better performances and a win.”
As for his own fitness, Evans is hoping to be back involved after a calf injury ruled him out of recent Guinness PRO14 action.
“I’d been hoping to be involved the last few weeks, but it’s not felt right so I have had to manage it,” revealed Evans.
“The Liberty is one of my favourite stadiums to play in so you never want to miss derby games. But hopefully I can make up for lost time in South Africa.”
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