Smith, Dixon retained as Highlanders co-captains

Cape Town - Utility back Ben Smith and hooker Ash Dixon have been confirmed as the co-captains for the Highlanders for the second successive year.

Smith will be fresh off his sabbatical when the team kicks off the 2018 season after foregoing the All Blacks' end-of-year tour to spend some quality time with his family in Dunedin and rest the body and the mind after a huge 2017 Super Rugby and international year.

Dixon has rejoined the Highlanders this week for pre-season training after successfully leading the Maori All Blacks' northern hemisphere end-of-year tour.

"Both players are senior members of the squad and lead by example both on and off the field and we can't wait for the 2018 season to kick off," the Highlanders said via a press statement on their official website.

The Highlanders start their 2018 Super Rugby campaign against the Blues at home on Friday, February 23.