Evans left the Liberty Stadium this summer to join English Championship side Bristol, prompting head coach Steve Tandy to bring in the 22-year-old South African for the new GUINNESS PRO12 season.
And the Pretoria-born Bernardo admits it wasn't an easy decision to leave South Africa in favour of South Wales, but says it was the right move to make.
"I am still fairly young, not many guys my age decide to leave their home country and come abroad," he told the South Wales Evening Post
"Obviously, I spoke to my family, girlfriend and players in South Africa who have come to Europe and after various points of view I decided to come over here.
"The advice that was given me was simply that I had to make the best decision for me rugby wise.
"Do I feel the pressure of having to replace a Wales international? No, not at all.
"I don't see it as stepping into someone else's shoes, I see it as making my own shoe, putting my foot down and making a mark."
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