Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss is on the cover of the new SA Rugby magazine, on sale this week.
Bok coach Allister Coetzee said Strauss looked ‘shocked’ after being told he would captain the team against Ireland this month. However, once Bismarck du Plessis, now with Montpellier, had been left out of Coetzee’s squad, Strauss, as the first-choice hooker, was always going to be a captaincy contender.
Coetzee had also stated that his skipper needed to be based in South Africa, which ruled out Toulon’s Duane Vermeulen, while neither Warren Whiteley nor Pat Lambie were assured of a place in the starting XV. Beast Mtawarira had captained the Sharks this year, but his poor handling of the referee in Dunedin would have counted against him, and Stormers co-captain Juan de Jongh is with the Blitzboks.
So Strauss’s appointment shouldn’t have come as a surprise, to him or the South African rugby public. And unless Vermeulen returns to South Africa, or Whiteley, Lambie or De Jongh become first-choice selections, the hooker is likely to be in charge for a while.
In this issue of SA Rugby magazine, chief rugby writer Jon Cardinelli chats to Strauss about his leadership role with the Boks and the start of a new era.
Also in the new issue:
– Lionel Mapoe’s sensational Super Rugby form earned him a Springbok recall
– Jean de Villiers on his Test highlights, the frustrating end to his career, and life after rugby
– New Zealand Rugby continues to keep almost all of its premier players, despite greater riches on offer elsewhere
– Saracens claimed their maiden European Champions Cup title with a largely young, homegrown squad and a pragmatic game plan
– Brad Barritt made a big contribution as a player and captain during Saracens’ unforgettable season
– Jake White’s Saffa-laden Montpellier side made history when they won the European Challenge Cup
– Demetri Catrakilis has made the most of his opportunity with Montpellier
– Our latest Saffas in Europe XV, based on players' club form in May
– Former Springbok flank Pedrie Wannenburg grabbed the chance to play in America’s new professional rugby tournament
– Philip Snyman on what the Blitzboks need to work on, captaining the team in four tournaments, and why only gold will be good enough at the Olympics
– South Africa’s first gay inclusive rugby club is tackling sterotypes
SA RUGBY MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION RATE
– Available monthly to Foschini Group account holders for R26.99 (incl VAT) per issue
– Non-Foschini Group account holders (12 issues): R359 (incl VAT), Neighbouring states: R620; International: R820
SA RUGBY MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES
– Foschini Group account holders: Phone 0860-117-529, email [email protected], or SMS ‘SARUGBY’ and your account number to 44001
– Non-Foschini Group account holders: Phone (021) 416-0141, fax 086-567-1350, or email: [email protected]
