Strauss aims to put 'pride' back in the Bok
In fact some of the more vengeful members of the populace continue to hurl mean-spirited commentary at former management members and even players of the Class of 2015.
However, new Bok skipper Adriaan Strauss said his team will restore the pride in the team.
He had no hesitation when asked what the values of the Springbok are and what it means to him – values he want to make a core part of the team under his leadership.
"For me the Bok always comes first and it has to be in the best interest of the team," he told a media briefing at the team's training base in Stellenbosch.
"The Springbok means a lot to the people of South Africa.
"We, as players, are very proud, and very excited to play for the Boks.
"We play for every single person out there supporting the Boks, every single South African and we want to make the supporters proud.
"As group we decided to get together and play good rugby, winning rugby and try make the people out there proud of us."
Strauss was also unanimously accepted by the squad as a leader.
As Bok coach Allister Coetzee said, Strauss paid his dues – having, for a long time, been behind Bismarck du Plessis in the Bok No.2 pecking order.
However, despite now being first choice, he expected the younger members of the team to challenge him.
"Bismarck [du Plessis] and I shared a lot of Tests and I spent a lot of time on the bench," Strauss said, adding: "The competition was good and healthy.
"It will be the same now, good and healthy competition within the squad – it always brings out the best in players."
He said his leadership style will not change now that he is Bok skipper.
"I believe you need to be good on the field [play well] to lead as well," Strauss told the media briefing.
"Playing good rugby will be my main focus and staying true to myself and the way that I lead will also be the focus.
"I truly believe as a leader, in a team environment, you will make mistakes. As long as my heart is in the right place and the team always come first [it will be fine].
"The guys next to me will know the passion is there for them, is there for South African rugby."
He added that he will not hesitate to tap into the experience of some of his predecessors should the opportunity arise.
However, the biggest benefit will come from the various franchise leaders that is with him in the squad – Warren Whiteley, Frans Malherbe and Patrick Lambie.
"We had a chat with them and I will rely on them to take responsibility – not only off the field, to help me drive the Bok culture, but helping with making decisions on the field as well.
"There are a lot of capable leaders, both in South Africa and those playing abroad, that can assist me – in that regard I am very fortunate."
By Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
