Sevens star Pretorius leaning on former stalwart Kwagga after Lions unveiling

Sevens star JC Pretorius, unveiled as the Lions' latest signing on Tuesday, says he has been in contact with Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith as he moves to the 15-man game.

Pretorius, like Smith did back in 2015, joins the Johannesburg franchise having built a reputation for himself as one of the most destructive Sevens players in the country.

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Pretorius will be competing for the No 6 jersey with the likes of Jaco Kriel and Emmanuel Thsituka.

"It's a massive honour and privilege to be associated with the Lions," Pretorius told media at his unveiling press conference.

"I said to myself I wouldn't rush anything coming into the system, and I'm learning quite a lot from the guys already, especially a guy like Jaco, who was a role model for me and still is."

Another role model for the 24-year-old Pretorius is the 29-year-old Smith, and he confirmed that he had been in contact with the man who currently plays his club rugby in Japan with Shizuoka.

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"I chat with Kwagga often," said Pretorius.

"He's also a role model to me, and he was also at the Lions, and he knows the ins and outs here and the system. He can help me a lot, especially with my role as a No 6 flank.

"There will be challenges with learning the systems and adapting to the defensive structure, and I know that in attacking, too, the loose forwards have a different role than they do in Sevens.

"I've slotted in at training, and because of the awareness you need to have in Sevens, everything feels a bit slow. I'll be bringing in a lot of vocals on defence, and a work ethic, like Kwagga had, with regards to looking to poach the