I want to move forward in my career and experience a winning culture,” said the 26-year-old Springbok centre, who left the Lions to sign a contract with Western Province.“Province are a union that is going places and it’s going to be nice to help them with that. You could see it in the Currie Cup. They could easily have won it. There is a huge pool of talent here.”

Fourie believes the fact that his Bok team-mate Bryan Habana also came to the Cape is a further indication that things are looking up for rugby in the Cape.

“Bryan has won two Super14 titles. If he comes, there has to be something special,” said Fourie.

Fourie is happy to be in the Cape, but did not want his career at the Lions to end the way it did. He was in a contractual dispute with the Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) and the matter eventually went to arbitration, which ruled in Fourie’s favour that there was not a valid contract.

“I could have stayed at the Lions for three more years, but don’t want to measure myself according to those standards,” said Fourie about the team for which he made his first class debut in 2002.

He made his Super rugby debut in 2003 for the Cats. Province’s senior provincial coach, Rassie Erasmus, was a team-mate of his at the erstwhile franchise.

“It’s not the way I wanted to say goodbye to the Lions. They could have wished me well. I enjoyed my time there, but it’s behind me now,” said Fourie.

Cape rugby fans will have high expectations now that players of the calibre of Fourie and Habana have joined WP, but the Stormers want to play a good game rather than talk one.

“We don’t want to shout our mouths off. We want to be recognised for our deeds and not talk much. Any team will aim for the semi-finals. My wife and I are very excited to be here. All the people here have only been good to us,” said Fourie.

The pressure of expectation that comes with his and Habana’s move to WP does not bother Fourie.

“I don’t really feel the pressure. I measure myself against high standards. I just want to be fit for the first game,” he said.

Fourie starred for the Lions in last year’s Super14, but his highlight was probably the magnificent try that saved the Springboks in the series against the British and Irish Lions.

He also made the somewhat controversial statement during the Tri-Nations that he regards himself as the world’s best outside centre. He was probably not wrong, but those were still big words.

“I believe I’m up there. Obviously there is someone like Brian O’Driscoll. I probably expressed myself incorrectly. I believe I am one of the best centres in the world,” said Fourie.

He also believes he has not yet reached the peak in his career.

“My best is yet to come. If I shine in a team that performs poorly, imagine how I can play in one that does well!”