Lions' new recruit set to become Kwagga 2.0
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Lions’ new signing Johannes Pretorius could announce himself with a powerful United Rugby Championship statement if he takes to the field this Friday against the Sharks.
Pretorius, more affectionately known by his Sevens calling card of JC, has been incredible for the BlitzBoks and has become a household name on the World Series circuit.
The 24-year-old, who is nominated as one of the finalists as South Africa’s Sevens Player of the Year, has joined the Lions from the BlitzBoks as a new loose forward – very similar to Albertus Smith back in 2015.
Both attended HTS Middelburg, both have won gold at the Commonwealth Games, and both opted to shift their focus to the 15-a-side code when they were dominating the Sevens world – thus comparisons will be inevitable.
Speaking to reporters, Pretorius said he has been in contact with other former Sevens players, including Smith, as he navigates the move to the 15-a-side code.
“I definitely chatted with the [Sevens] guys [playing 15-a-side now], but mostly Kwagga,” Pretorius said.
“He is a role model to me, and there isn’t a better place to be [than here at the Lions].
“He was also at the Lions, and he knows the ins and outs of the system. He can help me to fit into it, especially with my role as a No.6 flank.”
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Pretorius will be competing with current Lions captain Jaco Kriel and rising star Emmanual Thsituka for the No.6 jersey.
However the 24-year-old is in no rush to overtake proceedings and admitted he is still very much in his learning phase.
“It’s a massive honour and privilege to be associated with the Lions, and especially with my running style of rugby, and with guys like Kriel and Tshituka playing No.6 as well,” Pretorius said.
“I said to myself that I won’t rush anything coming into the system. I am learning quite a lot from the guys, especially from a guy like Jaco [Kriel]. He is also a role model for me.
“I know there is a lot of rugby to be played, but for me, it is just about slotting into the system, learning and adapting to everything and then taking it from there.
“I started training [on Monday]. We had a session that I was already in and it felt like, because of the awareness that you have to have in Sevens, everything happens slower in fifteens.
“I will bring in a lot of vocals and chat within the team on the attack, and definitely work ethic, like Kwagga, regarding poaching the ball and stuff like that.”
Commenting on the new recruit, Lions assistant coach Albert van den Berg said: “JC is a great addition for us, being in that No.6 position; he played brilliantly in the sevens.
“Many people talk about a fetcher and JC brings that, and is a lineout option as well, and brings a massive work rate as a young player.”
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