Strauss has leaders around him

Cape Town - New Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss is no stranger to leadership. 

He is the current captain of the Bulls, has shared the Springbok vice-captaincy with Bismarck du Plessis in the past and has long been identified as a potential Bok skipper. 

He may have the daunting task of guiding the Springboks into a new era, but Strauss can take comfort in the fact that he has some experienced heads around him who look like they are going to be vital cogs throughout the upcoming Ireland series. 

Pat Lambie, Warren Whiteley, Frans Malherbe, Beast Mtawarira, Duane Vermeulen and Francois Louw have all been identified as part of the core leadership group in the squad, and Strauss shed some light on what he expects from those names.

"We had a chat this (Monday) morning. I rely on them to take responsibility not only for their positions but to help with the leadership with making decisions on the field and, off the field, driving the culture of the squad," the new captain said.

Strauss also spoke highly of former Springbok captain John Smit, saying he had learnt a lot from the 111-Test veteran.

"I’ve really had the privilege to work with great captains and learn a lot from them and they’ve definitely been influential," said Strauss.

"When I see them around I will definitely have a chat to them and I might call one or two of them."

Vermeulen and Louw ar only expected to join the squad at the end of the week.