Venter moved to Scotstoun from the Sharks but the back-row man was already taking an interest in Glasgow's fortunes as Franco Smith took charge last season. The 31-year-old was coached by his fellow-South African in university competition and says he was sure that Smith be a success in Scotland. Smith had an impressive first season at Scotstoun, as the Warriors reached the Challenge Cup final and the URC quarter-finals.
Venter is confident that the Warriors - who will compete in the Champions Cup this year - can make the move from contenders to winners. Speaking in The Herald, Venter said: "My ambition for my time here is to win the competitions. It's past the point of just competing.
"With Glasgow being in the final last year, that gave a bit of a taste for everyone. And I think that will prepare the guys better for this year. Nothing will be new for us.
"We know how to get there. We got there, we didn't win it, so now we must just get that last hurdle. I think it's going to be an interesting year.
"We have a good squad. I think the club is in a good place. You need a lot of players to win both competitions and we have that, so I must say I'm very excited.
"I knew when he (Smith) came here he was going to make a difference. As the team grew and grew through the year last year, a lot of people wanted to be a part of it: they can see something special was happening."
Venter says he had no hesitation in deciding the move to Scotland was the right one for him. "I thought, 'Let's go! This is good news.'
"I definitely wanted to come when I saw he was coaching the team. I've just always believed in what he does. I was definitely very keen."
Asked what makes Smith a successful coach, Venter continued: "I think just the way he thinks about the game, and as a person. We are basically going to war every weekend, so you need someone who will tell you to keep your back straight. Some people don't like it, but I feel it's necessary in rugby to have someone to tell you because otherwise complacency gets in the way.
"It doesn't help if we are a bunch of sheep who go in any direction. We need to go somewhere, and to do that you need someone to tell you what to do and how to get there. And I think his way of communication as a coach is very good, to make you believe from the first day, so every player will know exactly what to do and when to do it.
"There's no time to think, basically, in the way he coaches: you must just make a decision and go. You don't have to overthink stuff, because that takes time, and we don't have time. There's no time for regrets: you must just go with it."
Venter says his switch to Scotstoun has been a smooth one as, thanks to Smith's leadership, the atmosphere within the Warriors squad is very similar to the one he knew back home. "It sounds like I've come back to the Free State with all the guys knowing exactly what to do," he added. "It's so easy just to get in and be part of the team, because it feels like it's an old team that I've played in because Franco coached me."