In a move that will surprise nobody who has been following recent developments, Sharks coach John Plumtree has confirmed that 25-year-old Francois Steyn will assume the role of squad captain for the Sharks while Keegan Daniel is out of action with a knee injury.
Daniel hurt his MCL against the Leopards in a warm-up game on Friday night and will miss at least four, but possibly six weeks of the Super Rugby season as a result. Plumtree, speaking to the Sharksrugby website, explained the reasons behind Steyn’s elevation:
“Frans becomes the ideal candidate for the captaincy in terms of experience,” said the coach of the 50-test veteran. “He has the respect of the players, leads by example and he’s a winner. We know that everyone will get behind him and support him.”
Steyn will be ably supported by a number of other senior players boasting vast experience, among them Jacques Botes, Jannie du Plessis, Willem Alberts, Franco van der Merwe and JP Pietersen. While the Sharks are not generally in the habit of naming an official vice captain in their match-day squads, it will be interesting to note which player in particular emerges as “pack leader” with Daniel out; my money is on du Plessis, but Alberts is also a strong candidate, when fit.
The Sharks will name their likely first-choice line-up for Friday night’s game against the Pumas in Nelspruit. Steyn is expected to captain that outfit, which will be announced later today.
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Awesome, positive move on Plums part. Get the captaincy sorted early, no idle speculation.
Any idea if this game is going to be televised?
@PTAShark (Comment 1) : no, it won’t be.
They’ve had to move it away from Mbombela too, to some other stadium out in the sticks. Apparently the Mbombela pitch is unplayable.
@robdylan (Comment 2) : Bugger. So they can show all the other warm up games? Full of bull.
@robdylan (Comment 2) : HAHAHAHAHAHAHA….you gotta love this country! 😆
Goos for Steyn. I think he will do well. I hope he get us onto a winning start!
Well they weren’t gonna show it anyway, checked SS’s schedule. So much bias
🙄 ahem…
this has probably been in the pipeline for a while. Nice positive to Steyn’s career so far
Okay then I am the only one that reckons this is not such a clever move
@Morne : elaborate..
@Morné (Comment 9) : No no, both you and Poisy.
Then again, who thought Keegan would be a good choice as captain?!
@Morné (Comment 9) :
Not sure how I feel about this. There isn’t really a track record to go on. Your feelings about this?
@Morné (Comment 9) : give me all the other candidates for captain and I’ll tell you why none of them is as good a choice… 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Why yje Sharks run out of natiral leaders? 😉 On a mobile. Will elaborate later.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 11) : Don’t ask me which thread. But I know I did this time last year based on how he led a bunch of youngsters in 2011.
@Morné (Comment 14) : @Morné (Comment 15) :
Still hoping to get your opinion, Morné.
@Pokkel (Comment 16) : ja, me too