John Plumtree yesterday ended much of the speculation that has been doing the rounds when he confirmed Keegan Daniel and Bismarck du Plessis as captain and vice captain respectively for the Sharks Super Rugby campaign. While I feel the Sharks have made the right choices – in fact, the obvious choices – from a squad perspective, I’m a little worried about how this might translate into on-field leadership.
Let’s not beat around the bush – the Sharks are blessed with much depth at forward and while few within the squad can boast much senior captaincy experience, the capacity and propensity to lead runs much deeper than just Daniel and du Plessis. The latter, in fact, might consider himself reasonably fortunate to leapfrog a group of players including Willem Alberts, Jean Deysel, Alistair Hargreaves, Jacques Botes and Ross Skeate, all of whom have more experience in captaining sides than he does.
Not, I must stress, that I feel Bismarck is a poor choice; quite the opposite, in fact. While many of the Sharks could be accused of being a wee bit too laid-back in their approach, there is absolutely no question of Bismarck suffering from a lack of desire and hunger to succeed. Everything he does is done at full pace and with maximum effort and the example he sets to those around him can only server to lift and inspire. Hearing Plumtree talk about the increased emphasis on Bismarck’s tactical contributions to the team is also most encouraging.
The forwards will be fine, in short, provided Daniel and du Plessis manage to come to an arrangement between them that leaves no doubt in the minds of the other players as to the pecking order between them. My concern relates to the backs. With so much of the drive and thrust coming from those up-front, who will be tasked with steering a back division that has, frankly, looked rudderless for the last few seasons? Further exacerbating the issue is the fact that Stefan Terblanche, who despite his many failings never shirked his duties as a leader, is no longer around.
When casting the eye over the backs, the options seem few and far between. Those in the know have identified the lack of a “talker” amongst the backs as an issue ever since the departure of Andries Strauss – with Brad Barritt performing this vital role before him – with the concern that there is no shortage of strong silent types in the ranks. While the likes of Marius Joubert, JP Pietersen, Odwa Ndungane and Riaan Viljoen have all been around the block many times (in Joubert’s case, perhaps too many) I think it’s fair to say that none of them has ever really stood out as an obvious captaincy candidate yet.
The obvious solution, it would seem, is to give Pat Lambie the job and let him get on with it. When he is at flyhalf (or even when he isn’t, assuming he’ll be rotated with Fred Michalak, in which case I feel he should still be picked at centre) he should be clearly designated as backline captain and told to call the shots. Just as it’s vitally important for the forwards to know who to turn to on the field, it’s perhaps even more vital that the backs know who will be running their (oft-overlooked) show and I can think of no better candidate than the young man from Michaelhouse who tends to make our whole team look that much classier every time he takes the field.
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Yes yes lambi for president…
Oh ok captain that is
Fully agree, start grooming Lambie for the Bok captaincy.
Good call Rob..
I think Meyer Bosman can perform a similar role, should he be wearing the 12 jumper again this year.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 3) :
Hi, this is my debut on SW
. Think the idea of leaving Keegan to continue as captain was smart. Sharks should be concentrating on a polished performance instead of adapting to various captains. Just my 2 cents worth 
@uzail (Comment 5) : Welcome to the site….we look forward to hearing a lot more than 2 cents worth from you in the future!
yes Lambie should be our new president, its so obvious….
@uzail (Comment 5) :
Welcome to the site!
I hope your stay here is a good one..
@uzail (Comment 5) : Welcome!
There is no else but Lambie at this stage I have to agree.
Im sure he does already ,he talks alot on defence and organises well.
@uzail (Comment 5) : As everyone has already said. Welcome.
I agree that Daniel is a good Captain and the continuity will be great.
I also feel that a Captain should be one of the 1st players’ name to go on the team sheet, PROVIDED the team doesn’t have to be adapted too much to make him fit. I hope we can manage that all season.
the chiefs co-captains are Liam Messam and Craig Clarke
Looks like the sharks wil be playin a forwards oriented game plan this year . . .hope Lambie or Michalak can somehow get the ball to Mvovo and Pieterson
lets hope that when Bismark captains, he controls his emotions with his team mates. I wouldnt like to see a repeat of his reactions like his replacement by John Smit last year. Our leaders must lead by way of example, especially in character on and off the field. I’d hate taking instructions from a hot head.
@Sirgwaz (Comment 15) :
Welcome!
Seems this thread is for all the newbies!
@uzail (Comment 16) : My thoughts, as stated previously, as well.
one of the reasons I disliked Matfield as a Captain so much was because of the way he’d scowl at and behave towards referees. Bismarck has that same scowl and behaviour, except Matfield knew when to walk away. To date Bismarck has not known when to walk away he get’s very verbal very quickly with officials and team mates alike.
Just think of how many times we have seen his arms flailing and his jaw wagging at team mates, the ref or the TJ after something hasn’t gone his way.
I have to wonder if the Vice captaincy is a way of appeasing him rather than being because of his actual leadership ability.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 18) : Imagine a furious Bismark with a 8kg cricket bat
@uzail (Comment 19) : And Bryce Lawrence being the ref who has upset him.
I’d pay to see that.
Lambie should lead the backs. Bugger his age.