Lions coach John Mitchell feels there is no need to change a winning formula, which is why he will go into the 2012 Super Rugby season with the same leadership group that did the job for him during the 2011 Currie Cup.
Mitchell confirmed that No.8 Josh Strauss will captain the side and that centre Doppies la Grange will be the vice-captain during the 2012 Super Rugby season.
Strauss and La Grange, of course, were at the forefront for their Currie Cup team last year as they brought major silverware back to Johannesburg for the first time since 1999.
“There is no need to change a successful leadership group… both captain and vice-captain,” the coach told this website, when asked about the decision the leadership core of Strauss and La Grange.
The announcement is not a surprise, given the manner in which Strauss, with his trademark beard, and La Grange kept the team together during their match to domestic glory.
Mitchell pointed out that players like as Cobus Grobbelaar, Wikus van Heerden and Franco van der Merwe were all also capable of leading the Lions.
The Lions, who trained in Rustenburg this week, have a few minor injury concerns. But according to the coach, Bok centre Waylon Murray is the only player unlikely to feature in the Super Rugby competition.
“We are managing five or six (injured) guys… guys like Wikus [van Heerden], CJ [van der Linde], Elton [Jantjies], [Michael] Rhodes,” Mitchell told this website.
“That is why you got to have the depth, because every week you are going to have that scenario,” he added.
“However, there is nothing too major – they should all be available for the start of the season.”
