Adriaan Strauss has been appointed as Springbok captain for the June Test series against Ireland.

Bok coach Allister Coetzee has shown his preference for a locally-based captain in opting to hand the leadership reins to Strauss, who has been preferred to the likes of Duane Vermeulen (Toulon) and Francois Louw (Bath).

'Adriaan’s leadership qualities are impressive and well-established and he has the respect of his teammates on and off the field,' Coetzee said. 'He enjoys the respect of all the players and he has always fulfilled a leadership role wherever he played, since coming through the junior national structures.

'Adriaan has shared the vice-captaincy role with Bismarck du Plessis for the Springboks and is also a former Cheetahs skipper and current Bulls captain. I have no doubt he will be successful in his role as Springbok captain, which is a huge responsibility.'

Coetzee further explained that Strauss will have a strong leadership group around him to support him in his role.

'Adriaan is blessed with a strong leadership core around him consisting of Pat Lambie, Warren Whiteley, Frans Malherbe, Beast Mtawarira, Duane Vermeulen and Francois Louw. I have been impressed with him in my interactions with him and I have the utmost faith in him.'

Strauss said he was humbled by the trust and confidence shown in him by Coetzee.

'I am very grateful to the coach for entrusting me with this enormous responsibility. I am incredibly humbled by this huge honour and also excited about the role. It is not everyone that gets the opportunity to lead the Springboks, so I consider myself very blessed indeed. I shall do my very best to justify the trust shown in me.

'I am also very fortunate that I will be able to lean on the assistance of a great leadership group within the squad. There’s a fantastic energy in the squad, but the hard work starts now.'

Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images