Thembinkosi Lorch has been warned of a different culture at Mamelodi Sundowns compared to Orlando Pirates.
Lorch was of the bigger players at Pirates in terms of influence, as he has not experienced competition for a starting berth since making his name from his return on loan at Chippa United in the 2016/17 campaign.
The Buccaneers' over-reliance on 'Nyoso' to carry the team was evident in occasions where the 30-year-old was out injured and on his return, he usually got his position back, with no one giving him competition.
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However, at Sundowns there is already a galaxy of stars, where they have proven over the years that no one is guaranteed a place in the line-up, regardless of the status of a player.
The Brazilians head coach Rulani Mokwena has warned Lorch that he would have to earn his place in the line-up, as the selection policy at Masandawana is all about 'meritocracy'.
"Lorch's performances will speak for themselves and he knows that," Mokwena said on Radio 2000's Game On.
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"He's got that responsibility like a lot of the players, at Sundowns meritocracy for us is very important and Lorch has to work very hard like everybody else to earn a place in the team, merit a start like everybody.
"That's the responsibility we have and we have been given that responsibility by the millions of Sundowns supporters, when you carry their happiness index in your hands and you've got some form of influence, you've got to be responsible and extremely diligent with that responsibility," he added.
Lorch will have a chance to make a case on whether he deserves a starting berth in the Sundowns line-up on a consistent basis, as Masandawana are unlikely to have their ten players who were with Bafana Bafana at the Africa Cup of Nations for a few matches as they are expected to be given a break before resuming training.
The Tshwane giants will re-open their DStv Premiership campaign against the Buccaneers on Saturday evening at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.