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Grobbelaar retains captaincy

Johannesburg - Cobus Grobbelaar will again captain the Lions as they prepare for the 2010 Super 14 competition.

"Cobus is a proven world class captain and we are proud to announce he will again lead the team in the Super 14", director of coaching, Dick Muir said on Monday.

Grobbelaar, who took over the captaincy from Ernst Joubert in January 2008, has done an exceptional job over the past two years, and through his leadership abilities and playing, he has earned the respect of both his team-mates and opponents.

"We are very fortunate to have a variety of senior players who possess substantial leadership abilities, and are thus able to assist Cobus with making decisions on the field.

"Some of our more senior players who have these abilities, are Franco van der Merwe, Jonathan Mokuena, Doppies la Grange, Jano Vermaak and Herkie Kruger," Muir said.

"Cobus has been playing in the Vodacom Super 14 competition for the Lions for four years, two of those as captain. We have had the pleasure of watching him grow, both as a player and a leader.

"In 2007 Andre Pretorius was captain, with Ernst Joubert as his vice-captain. However, after both players were ruled out due to injury, we called upon Cobus to step up.

"He had big shoes to fill, and yet he filled them perfectly, and has been the team's leader since.

"He has claimed the role of captain as his own, and is able to both lead and motivate the younger players. Especially those who are making their debut in this international competition", GLRU president, Kevin de Klerk said.

The will soon embark on a very difficult tour. The team will play two home matches before departing for the away leg of the tour, where they will cross the Tasman Sea twice before returning to South Africa for another four home and two away matches.

The Lions will play two warm up games - on Saturday against the Bulls and on Friday, February 5, against the Pumas.

The coaching staff will announce the Super 14 squad thereafter.

Cobus "Baywatch" Grobbelaar statistics:

Provincial caps: 90
Provincial points: 65 (13 tries)
Super 14 caps: 57
Super 14 points: 15 (3 tries)

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