Jean de Villiers leads Stormers

The Springbok centre takes over from flank Luke Watson.

Erasmus said De Villiers was the best candidate to lead the Western Cape franchise in the tough Southern Hemisphere competition. He added that he had a conversation with Watson about his decision and that the flank accepted the fact that he wasn’t the captain anymore.

“I can tell you that the guys are 100% happy with Jean as captain,” commented Erasmus.

De Villiers, who was forced to leave the World Cup early due to an arm injury, is training hard with his mates and said it was a big honour and responsibility to lead the Stormers.

“I will work closely with Luke and will also depend a lot for help on the other leaders in the squad such as Schalk Brits and Gcobani Bobo.”

Other news from the Stormers training camp at George is that Springbok assistant coach Allister Coetzee has joined the squad as backline coach.

Another new acquisition, Springbok scrumhalf Ricky Januarie, joined the squad on Monday. Fullback Conrad Jantjes (hand), lock Ross Skeate (ankle), and props Brian Mujati (wrist) and Schalk Ferreira (hamstring) are injured.