RYNARD Landman believes the Newport Gwent Dragons can hit the ground running and shock Connacht on Friday night.

The 29-year-old was speaking after a superb derby victory away over Cardiff Blues, in which he played a blinder against a pack who didn't know what to make of him.

When he wasn't winning crisp ball at the lineout and smashing rucks, the former Cheetahs man, was throwing outrageous dummies and nearly scored a spectacular try from an errant kick.

The big South African, who was signed up at Rodney Parade after impressing in Super rugby last year, was in superb form as the Dragons won their friendly against the Blues at Cardiff Arms Park BT Sport 35-28.

It was the Gwent region's last warm-up before they face a tough trip to Connacht at Galway on Friday for the season's opening Guinness PRO12 clash.

Victory over the old enemy was sweet for him and his buddy Pretorius from Bloemfontein as the pair saw the Newport-based region on their way to a great win at the e BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.

His fellow South African, the dynamic scrum half, was the star of the show as he scored two tries in their impressive victory in Cardiff.

"Sarel and I can speak Afrikaans, so we used that so he could put me away! He is so nippy. He's a great player."

But it wasn't just off the cuff off stuff which saw them home and win the day as the Dragons' impressive tight play saw them dominate the Blues, as Landman said: "I thought our set piece was great.

"We are a settled side now. Lyn (Jones director of rugby) says we have a squad that comprises of 85 per cent of what it was last season.

"I think we can upset a lot of teams who have players away at the World Cup. We have a side which has been together and players who know each other well."

On beating the Blues, he added: "And it's always pleasing for me to beat the Blues. It's three wins out of four now."