Strauss named Bok captain
Springbok coach, Allister Coetzee, made the announcement on Monday in Stellenbosch, where the Boks are preparing for the first Test.
The popular Strauss follows in the footsteps of long-serving Springbok captain, Jean de Villiers as well as Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger and Fourie du Preez.
Coetzee said he decided to appoint the captain before the first training session.
“Adriaan’s leadership qualities are impressive and well-established and he has the respect of his teammates on and off the field,” said Coetzee.
“He enjoys the respect of all the players and he has always fulfilled a leadership role wherever he played, since coming through the junior national structures.
“Adriaan has shared the vice-captaincy role with Bismarck du Plessis for the Springboks and is also a former Cheetahs skipper and current Bulls captain.
“I have no doubt he will be successful in his role as Springbok captain, which is a huge responsibility,” added Coetzee.
Coetzee further explained that Strauss will have a strong leadership group around him to support him in his role to lead the Springboks in the coming Incoming Series against Ireland.
“Adriaan is blessed with a strong leadership core around him consisting of Patrick Lambie, Warren Whiteley, Frans Malherbe, Beast Mtawarira, Duane Vermeulen and Francois Louw,” said Coetzee.
“I have been impressed with him in my interactions with him and I have the utmost faith in him.”
Strauss said he was humbled by the trust and confidence shown in him by Coetzee.
“I am very grateful to the coach for entrusting me with this enormous responsibility,” said Strauss.
“I am incredibly humbled by this huge honour and also excited about the role. It is not everyone that get the opportunity to lead the Springboks, so I consider myself very blessed indeed. I shall do my very best to justify the trust shown in me.
“I am also very fortunate that I will be able to lean on the assistance of a great leadership group within the squad. There’s a fantastic energy in the squad, but the hard work starts now.”
The 30-year old hooker, who was born in Bloemfontein, has played 54 Tests matches for South Africa since making his debut in 2008, scoring six tries to date. He also presented the Springboks at the 2015 World Cup in England, where he earned his 50th Test cap against Samoa.
He became the 800th Springbok when he was called up to do duty in the 2008 Rugby Championship, making his debut on July 19, 2008 against Australia in Perth aged just 22-years old. He has played in a total of 57 Springbok matches, including three non-Tests.
In 2012 and 2013, Strauss shared the vice-captaincy with Du Plessis. He is a very strong and experienced hooker and respected leader in the South Africa game.
Strauss has amassed 130 Super Rugby caps for the Cheetahs and the Bulls. The former Grey College hooker represented the SA Schools in 2003, SA Under-19 (2004) and SA U21 (in 2005, when they won the IRB U21 competition in Argentina, as well as 2006). He made his senior debut for the Bulls in 2006, before joining the the Cheetahs the following year. He re-joined the ranks of the Pretoria side in 2015.
