Durban - Bismarck du Plessis has been retained as captain of the Sharks for the forthcoming Super Rugby season, the Durban franchise announced on Friday.
The 30-year-old, who was among the most capped players in the competition with 120 appearances, would be supported by vice-captains Pat Lambie, Frans Steyn and Tera Mtembu.
“The way the modern game is going it is not about individuals but a group of leaders who share ideas and work together as a team in order to achieve the desired results,” new director of rugby, Gary Gold, said on Friday.
“These four players have proven their leadership ability and commitment to the Sharks over the years and they will be able to rally the group and get the best out of their teammates.”
Du Plessis had served as vice-captain of the Springboks in recent seasons and his first assignment under Gold, the man named to succeed Jake White late last year, would be a pre-season friendly against French giants Toulon next week.
Lambie, aged 24, had also previously served as a number two, while 27-year-old Steyn led the Sharks two seasons ago.
Mtembu, 24, became the first black captain of the Sharks when he spearheaded their Currie Cup campaign last season.
The Sharks, who open their Super Rugby season against the Cheetahs in Durban on February 14, would name their squad for the competition on Monday.
On Friday they announced a list of 26 players travelling to France to face the European champions at Stade Mayol next Thursday.
Jannie du Plessis, Willem Alberts and Thomas du Toit were the only major absentees as they continued their recovery from injuries.
Gold had officially linked-up with the team for the first time since his club commitments in Japan.
“This match will provide us with the ideal opportunity to test combinations as we look to conclude our preparations ahead of the start of the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament,” Gold said.
“We are expecting a highly competitive match against Toulon and are looking forward to the encounter.”
Gold's fellow Japanese-based trio of Steyn, JP Pietersen and Ryan Kankowski were expected to begin training with the Durban side upon their return from France.
Sharks squad to travel to France: Bismarck du Plessis, Dale Chadwick, Andre Esterhuizen, Etienne Oosthuizen, Kyle Cooper, Lourens Adriaanse, Tera Mtembu, Marcell Coetzee, Marco Wentzel, Matt Stevens, Monde Hadebe, Mouritz Botha, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Renaldo Bothma, Beast Mtawarira, Cobus Reinach, Conrad Hoffmann, Fred Zeilinga, Heimar Williams, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, Patrick Lambie, Paul Perez, S'bura Sithole, SP Marais, Waylon Murray.
Sapa