Hooker Adriaan Strauss named Springboks captain
Hooker Adriaan Strauss has been named captain of the Springboks.
Coach Allister Coetzee selected Strauss to lead South Africa in a three-test series against Ireland next month. The 30-year-old Strauss succeeds Jean de Villiers, who retired after last year's World Cup.
Strauss has played 54 tests and was one of two vice-captains under De Villiers.
Coetzee, appointed only last month, must mold a new Springboks team after the departure of a number of experienced players. De Villiers, Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez, all captains at some stage, have retired.
Strauss was given the responsibility ahead of Toulon No. 8 Duane Vermeulen. Another possible candidate, experienced flanker Schalk Burger, is injured and was ruled out of the three-test series against Ireland.
The first test is June 11.