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Cape Town - Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has reportedly offered scrumhalf Fourie du Preez the option of captaining the Springboks in the upcoming three-Test series against England in June.
According to the Keo.co.za website, Meyer met with Du Preez this week to offer him the position on a short-term basis.
Du Preez, currently plying his trade with Suntory Goliath in Japan, is yet to indicate if he will accept the offer, which will again be reviewed after the England series.
Meyer was earlier this year interested in luring retired lock Victor Matfield out of retirement to lead the team but an International Rugby Board (IRB) rule regarding retired players floored that plan.
A rule from the IRB states that a retired player announcing his return to the game may not play international rugby for six months after announcing his comeback.
The rule is in place to prevent players who have used banned substances from suddenly retiring to "buy" time to get the substance out of their system and then suddenly announce their return to the playing arena.
Meyer earlier this week invited 42 players to attend a final planning camp in Durban, which starts on Sunday.
This will be the final opportunity for Meyer to work with the players before the final Springbok squad to face England will converge in the coastal city on Sunday, June 3.
The first Test against England starts in Durban on June 9, followed by Tests in Johannesburg (June 16) and Port Elizabeth (June 23).
Players invited to the final Springbok Planning Camp in Durban on May 27-28:
Forwards (22):
Coenie Oosthuizen, Tendai Mtawarira, Dean Greyling, Jannie du Plessis, Pat Cilliers, Werner Kruger, Bismarck du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Flip van der Merwe, Eben Etzebeth, Andries Bekker, Juandré Kruger, Marcell Coetzee, CJ Stander, Heinrich Brüssow, Keegan Daniel, Willem Alberts, Jean Deysel, Pierre Spies, Ryan Kankowski, Josh Strauss
Backs (20):
Francois Hougaard, Jano Vermaak, Piet van Zyl, Morné Steyn, Pat Lambie, Elton Jantjies, Peter Grant, Wynand Olivier, Jean de Villiers, Juan de Jongh, JJ Engelbrecht, Bryan Habana, Bjorn Basson, JP Pietersen, Gio Aplon, Lwazi Mvovo, Akona Ndungane, Zane Kirchner, Jaco Taute, Joe Pietersen
According to the Keo.co.za website, Meyer met with Du Preez this week to offer him the position on a short-term basis.
Du Preez, currently plying his trade with Suntory Goliath in Japan, is yet to indicate if he will accept the offer, which will again be reviewed after the England series.
Meyer was earlier this year interested in luring retired lock Victor Matfield out of retirement to lead the team but an International Rugby Board (IRB) rule regarding retired players floored that plan.
A rule from the IRB states that a retired player announcing his return to the game may not play international rugby for six months after announcing his comeback.
The rule is in place to prevent players who have used banned substances from suddenly retiring to "buy" time to get the substance out of their system and then suddenly announce their return to the playing arena.
Meyer earlier this week invited 42 players to attend a final planning camp in Durban, which starts on Sunday.
This will be the final opportunity for Meyer to work with the players before the final Springbok squad to face England will converge in the coastal city on Sunday, June 3.
The first Test against England starts in Durban on June 9, followed by Tests in Johannesburg (June 16) and Port Elizabeth (June 23).
Players invited to the final Springbok Planning Camp in Durban on May 27-28:
Forwards (22):
Coenie Oosthuizen, Tendai Mtawarira, Dean Greyling, Jannie du Plessis, Pat Cilliers, Werner Kruger, Bismarck du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Flip van der Merwe, Eben Etzebeth, Andries Bekker, Juandré Kruger, Marcell Coetzee, CJ Stander, Heinrich Brüssow, Keegan Daniel, Willem Alberts, Jean Deysel, Pierre Spies, Ryan Kankowski, Josh Strauss
Backs (20):
Francois Hougaard, Jano Vermaak, Piet van Zyl, Morné Steyn, Pat Lambie, Elton Jantjies, Peter Grant, Wynand Olivier, Jean de Villiers, Juan de Jongh, JJ Engelbrecht, Bryan Habana, Bjorn Basson, JP Pietersen, Gio Aplon, Lwazi Mvovo, Akona Ndungane, Zane Kirchner, Jaco Taute, Joe Pietersen
