Warren Whiteley has been confirmed as the Lions’ captain for this year’s Super Rugby tournament.

The athletic No 8 led the side during last season’s campaign, having succeeded Josh Strauss after 2013, but Jaco Kriel took over the leadership reins for the 2015 Currie Cup, with Whiteley having been away with the Boks at the start of the domestic competition.

At a press conference in Johannesburg on Thursday, coach Johan Ackermann confirmed Whiteley would once again skipper the team in Super Rugby.

'It is a big honour to again lead the Lions in the Super Rugby competition. I take the task very seriously, while I also enjoy making decisions on and off the field,' Whiteley said. 'While I think nothing has changed, it becomes easier. Also because we’ve got such a great core of leaders around me.'

The Lions are set to kick off their campaign against the Sunwolves on 27 February.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix