FORMER Springboks speedster Zane Kirchner believes he has joined a Dragons side ready to grow up and turn potential into performance.

The 33-year-old, who won the last of his 31 caps for South Africa against Japan at the 2015 World Cup, has arrived at Rodney Parade after four seasons with Leinster.

Kirchner, comfortable in the back three or midfield, played a role in helping bright Ireland prospects such as Garry Ringrose, Joey Carbery, Adam Byrne and Rory O'Loughlin develop in Dublin.

Now the South African and fellow new recruit Gavin Henson will not only be charged with producing the goods on the park, but in helping to nurture Hallam Amos, Ashton Hewitt, Tyler Morgan & Co.

"It excites me to look around the place and see the average age of the guys," said Kirchner. "Guys are young, lots are around 23 to 25, and that's the time in rugby when guys are putting their marker down.

"Going forward I would say this season and the next one in particular we will definitely be a club to be reckoned with.

"You just try to pass on as much as you can from what you have learned over the seasons. You take the positives from the past and try to implement them here to take things forward at the club."

The Dragons finished one-from-bottom in the Guinness PRO12 last season and failed to win an away game in all competitions.

Kirchner, who was convinced to head to Rodney Parade by former head coach Kingsley Jones, believes he has joined a side ready to look forward rather than back under new boss Bernard Jackman.

"There are so many positives around the HQ with the WRU [taking over], a new coach, some new faces," said the South African.

"It's almost as if we are starting from the ground upwards, putting fundamentals and whole lot of new stuff in place.

"That means I don't think I am too much of an outsider because everyone is trying to find their feet, even the guys who have been here for a few years."

Kirchner wore 13 on his back when Leinster romped to a 54-22 victory at Rodney Parade last season, making light of the heavy conditions on the well-worn pitch to run in eight tries.

With a new hybrid surface and improved drainage system currently being installed, the Springbok is hopeful of going on the run in home colours.

Kirchner said: "The way that he [Jackman] looks at the game is quite positive… that's probably why he is demanding all of this running from us in pre-season!

"In terms of where the coach wants to go to and the type of runners with a bit of speed we have got on the outside, a good pitch it can lead to positive things and giving the ball some air."

Preparations step up next week when the Dragons return to Ystrad Mynach for their second block of pre-season training.

That is followed by a camp in France before friendlies against Montpellier, Northampton and Exeter, daunting tests but vital as a barometer according to Kirchner.

"They are challenging run outs but will give us a good platform to see where we are and to allow us to do what the coaches have been looking for," he said.

"These three games will give us a good base line and show us what we need to work on going into the season."