Hooker Adriaan Strauss named Springboks captain

31 May 2016, 12:00AM

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.

31 May 2016, 12:00AM
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