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Lions challenge excites Butch

Johannesburg - Shortly after arriving at Lanseria Airport on Tuesday, confirming that he will be part of the Lions set-up, Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok Butch James, said being part of the Johannesburg team was an exciting prospect.

"I think the vision they have for this team is unbelievable and hopefully I can be a small part of it and one day will be able tell my children about my involvement with this great team," said James.

James arrived at the Northern Johannesburg airport on a private jet owned by new Lions stakeholder Ivor Ichikowitz, in what was one of the most extravagant player announcements in South African rugby history.

"You can just see Robert (Gumede) and Ivor really put a lot of effort into everything they do, so it bodes well for the future," James said of the warm welcome he received.

"The first time I thought this wasn't a bad team was when I watched them in the Currie Cup last season and I think it was then that I made up my mind - all the new signings are just a bonus.

"For me they were the most exciting team in the whole competition and they beat the Sharks who ended up winning it."

Prior to the start of pre-season warm-up matches, the Lions signed a number of new and exciting players, but James is the first with international experience.

The former Sharks stalwart who currently plays for Bath, knows making the starting line-up ahead of flyhalves Andre Pretorius, Elton Jantjies and Burton Francis, would not be a walk in the park.

"It is not going to be easy, but I knew that before I signed up to come here," he said.

"I know I will have to play well every weekend to make the team, but I think it is going to be a good challenge for all four of us to compete and push each other a bit.

James said he would play in any position as long as he could play.

"I’m happy to be shifted around as well as long as I’m out there on the field - it's better to be playing out of position than not be playing at all or sitting on the bench."

Returning to the Super Rugby arena will also present one of the most aggressive tacklers in the game, with some new challenges.

"I’m bit nervous about playing Super Rugby again," he admitted.

"It’s improved a lot since I’ve last played.

"Making the team is going to be tough and eventually when I do get on the field, the going will be tough, so it was a big decision and a huge challenge which I am looking forward to."

James should be available to play in June.

Butch James emerges wearing a Lions jersey (SA Rugby)

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