Angelo Davids is soaking up his new surroundings with the Lions, expressing a fresh sense of enjoyment and a fierce determination to leave his mark as the Vodacom URC season unfolds. After swapping the familiar blue and white of the Stormers for the fiery red of the Lions during the off-season, Davids, who found himself often overshadowed in the Cape by teammates like Leolin Zas and Seabelo Senatla, feels rejuvenated by the move.
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'I think mentally I needed a change. I’ve been blessed to get the opportunity to come to the Lions and I’ve settled in quite nicely.'
The team has made it so easy for me to do what I need to do, and obviously that’s to play rugby and enjoy myself," Davids shared. His eagerness is palpable as he looks forward to proving his mettle, especially when the Lions head to Cape Town Stadium over the festive season to clash with his former squad, the Stormers. "I can’t wait, to be honest with you, it’s going to be a good one. But for now, I just need to focus on the next match," he added.Despite the Lions' rocky start to the URC season with a 33-20 loss to Cardiff, Davids has already made significant strides in his new den. During the Lions' Currie Cup run, he was nothing short of spectacular, racking up eight tries in nine matches, including a four-try spectacular in a 60-12 demolishing of the Boland Cavaliers in the semi-finals at Ellis Park. The team's next challenge lies in Parma, where they aim to redeem themselves against Zebre this Sunday.
The shift in scenery to Johannesburg appears to have been the perfect remedy for Davids, whose career was idling in the shadows of high-profile teammates. Now, with a fresh jersey and a renewed mindset, the former Blitzbok star is all set to roar with the Lions, promising some thrilling rugby action for his fans and some sleepless nights for his opponents.