Jake White has confirmed that a powerhouse Springbok pairing will skipper the Bulls in the Vodacom URC and Champions Cup this season.

Lock Ruan Nortje and loose forward Elrigh Louw on Friday were announced as Bulls co-captains for the 2024-25 campaign.

Nortje and Louw, who on Saturday will run out for the Boks in the Rugby Championship decider against Argentina in Nelspruit, are set to reunite with the Herd post-Test duties ahead of round 3 in the URC.

“We are in a good space as a club where we have a good balance of diverse leadership qualities amongst the players in our group,” Bulls director of rugby White said.

“We have seen a number of the guys lead the team in some shape, way or form over the last season and that does not change because we have seen the value of having the voices of everyone in their different parts of the field.

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“We have seen great leadership capabilities in both Ruan and Elrigh last season, which we are excited to see heading into the new season. The two of them will form a dynamic partnership as co-captains which will do our environment well.”

On seasoned campaigner Marcell Coetzee, who has previously served as captain and co-captain, White adds, “Marcell has been a phenomenal captain over the past few seasons.

“He has embodied the values of the badge, leading from the front in all spheres and we expect to see him continue to lead and mentor the younger guys because he is still an important part of our team.

“So the appointment of different leaders is not an indictment on him but the team’s succession strategy which is normal in professional sport.”

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