SOUTH African back row forward Dewald Potgieter has declared he’s up for the challenge of keeping Worcester Warriors in the Aviva Premiership.

The 28-year-old arrived at Sixways earlier this week and wants to share a winning culture with his new team-mates at Worcester.

Potgieter is contracted with Warriors until the end of next season and is prepared for the battle which lies ahead for Dean Ryan’s men.

“You have to create a winning culture so you are on the right side of things more often than not and you have to be successful,” said Potgieter, who clinched two Super Rugby titles with the Blue Bulls.

“Once you are successful, which I have no doubt this team will be, winning is something you have to get used to.

“Being a successful side comes with a target on your back and I was lucky enough to be part of those teams and I have learnt from those experiences.”

Potgieter has made six appearances for South Africa and is ready for his first taste of Premiership rugby after a three-year stint in Japan with Yamaha Jubilo.

“I am up for the challenge at Worcester,” he said.

“It is daunting and as a group we definitely missed an opportunity last weekend.

“However, the situation gives me a lot of energy.

“I think I have a pretty clear picture of what Premiership rugby is all about and the kind of rugby and how it will differ from Super Rugby and rugby in Japan. I know what I am in for.

“There was only one Worcester game I could stream to Japan and that was the Exeter game.

“That’s the only taste I had and apart from finding all the available clips on YouTube and I have been trying to do my research.

“I am not someone who is used to playing rugby to save my life and that’s a new experience for me and it might bring out something different in me.

“It’s a new opportunity and I can already feel what the situation is doing to me and it has put my back against the wall.

“The situation doesn’t leave me with any room to be lethargic on the field and you have to get on with it and get stuck in from the start.”

Potgieter is on the bench for the clash against Bath at Sixways and admits the visitors will be feeling wounded after a run of poor result.

“Bath are probably in the same position we’re in,” he said.

“We were on the losing end at London Irish last weekend.

“They won that battle in terms of energy and we know we will be up against a Bath team who are also wounded and feeling it just as much as we are.

“The emphasis is on us to be so much better than we were last weekend and winning the battle this time.”

He added: “I am contracted again for next season, which I am really happy about.

“I am looking to be at Worcester for a couple of years and hopefully we can see the team and me grow.

“Sometimes I feel like I’ve being played rugby forever but I am not even 29 yet. Hopefully, I have got a lot of good seasons left in me and we will have some great seasons at Worcester.”