Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen will lead the Vodacom Bulls into a new era under director of rugby Jake White after being confirmed as the team’s new captain on Tuesday.

Vermeulen takes over from Burger Odendaal, who last month left the Bulls to join local rivals the Lions.

The 34-year-old, who has previously captained the Stormers in 2015, is heading into his second stint with the Bulls after playing for the Pretoria-based franchise in the 2019 Super Rugby season, before a move to Japan.

Vermeulen’s deputies are set to be Arno Botha and Gio Aplon, who also recently joined the Bulls from overseas.