Max Llewellyn hopes familiarity breeds success as he strikes up a midfield partnership with Ben Thomas in Cape Town on Sunday (KO 12.00pm).
With Rey Lee-Lo ruled out of the encounter through concussion, Llewellyn is one of six changes made to the starting XV, and is named alongside Thomas in the Blue and Blacks’ midfield.
The duo go back a long way, having been team-mates at various levels of the pathway for both club and country, including Cardiff RFC.
And Llewellyn is confident that their individual skill-set can bring the best out of the partnership as they prepare to take on DHL Stormers.
“I think my partnership with Ben is something that really works. We really complement each other well,” explained the former Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf pupil.
“Everyone knows he’s got great ball skills and everyone knows I’m able to do the hard yards.
“So I do think that we can complement each other and hopefully we can show that on the weekend.
“I’ve always had good chemistry with Ben, and I understand his game really well. I know where I can come into that and where we can complement each other.
“Especially in the years to come, it’s something I hope we can build on and get us into the team regularly.”
Another change made in the backline sees Llewellyn’s fellow Cardiff Schools and Glantaf alumni, Theo Cabango, introduced to the wing for his United Rugby Championship debut.
The centre has been impressed with the younger members of the travelling party to South Africa and is delighted to see Cabango given a shot on Sunday.
“Seeing the youngsters having opportunities is something everyone in the squad wants to see.
“We’ve seen them play, we’ve seen them score tries, we’ve seen the highlights and we see them in training.
“We know what they can do and it’s only a matter of time before they get the opportunity and step up to the plate.”
Llewellyn, who was a first half replacement in the defeat to Emirates Lions last week, is expecting another step up against DHL Stormers this week as Cardiff continue to adapt to the South African weather conditions.
“In terms of an experience, Ellis Park was phenomenal and it was really hard out there,” added the academy product.
“There wasn’t much of a crowd, but they still actually made quite a lot of noise. It was a great experience to play out there and I’m looking forward to this week as well.
“Stormers will be another step up again and it will be a really tough performance.
“You know what it’s like here - they’re all pretty big and they’re all pretty tough. But we’re all looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s hot here, and I’m still not sure I’ve adapted yet. You get tired after days of rugby but I’m recovering well.
“I didn’t come away here during age grade rugby, so it’s the first time I’ve come in a professional environment.
“There’s a lot of stuff you get told about the nutrition and recovery side of it and you always try to do stuff. But being out here, living with top athletes and internationals, you constantly look at what they do.
“You look at how they prepare for games and as youngsters we see that and try to pick off that. It’s gives stuff that we try to implement into our lifestyles.”