La Grange feeling right at home in Treviso

The former Lions and Springbok Under-21s player has joined Benetton where he will face a battle with international duo Alberto Sgarbi and Tommaso Benvenuti, as well as rising star Luca Morisi, for a place in the centres.

And, rather than focus on his own ambitions, La Grange is eager to help the team improve in next year's RaboDirect PRO12.

He said: "I try to be altruistic and rather than scoring myself I love to create spacees for my teammates, I think that's one of my best qualities as a player.

"In the past I've had a few injuries, the last was to my knee, but I've always been able to recover and come back stronger.

"I'm from the country and so more than the centre, which is beautiful, I've really appreciated the open spaces here.

"In South Africa I have a farm with lots of animals, especially horses. I've also chosen to come here for my other passions, especially food.

"Corniel Van Zyl has already shown me a bit of the city and taken me to a few nice places."