AN emotional Adriaan Strauss phoned his wife Chantell, their daughter and his mother yesterday to share the good news minutes after he was appointed the new Springbok captain.
But, before it all sank in that he will become the 57th man to captain the Springboks when he leads his team on to the field in the three-Test series against Ireland next month, he thought new Bok coach Allister Coetzee was joking.
SHOCKED: Adriaan Strauss became the 57th Springbok captain when new coach Allister Coetzee put his trust in the hooker’s leadership abilities. Credit: Luigi Bennett/BackpagePix
“Adriaan was quite shocked when I told him this morning, but he was mature about it and immediately asked if I was sure, as it was early in the morning! He wanted to know if he has the senior players’ backing and I assured him of that,” Coetzee said after their first training session in Stellenbosch yesterday.
“Adriaan’s leadership qualities are impressive and well established, and he has the respect of his teammates on and off the field.
”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. I have no doubt he will be successful in his role as Springbok captain, which is a huge responsibility.”
Former Springbok captain Bob Skinstad was surprised by the appointment but believes Strauss will be a good leader.
