Leicester Tigers: Premiership champions confirm Hanro Liebenberg as captain after Ellis Genge’s departure
South African back-row Hanro Liebenberg has been appointed Leicester Tigers club captain for this season, taking over from Ellis Genge.
Liebenberg has been a stalwart for the club since making his bow in September 2019, as he joined them ahead of 2019/20 from Top 14 side Stade Francais.
The flanker was vice-captain last campaign and has led South Africa U20s in 2015, skippering his nation in that season’s World Rugby U20 Championship.
The 26-year-old, who won the Supporters’ Player of the Year gong in 2020/21, is honoured to have been named captain by head coach Steve Borthwick.
A big challenge
“It is a great honour for me. I know it will be a big challenge but it is a challenge I want to take on,” he told the Premiership outfit’s website on Thursday.
“I won’t be suddenly changing who I am and the things I have been doing. We must all keep one another accountable and I have asked the boys to do that, to push me and push each other forward.
“You need a captain but it is more than just one person who leads and we have a great group of players here, experienced and younger, who all contribute to setting the standard and leading.”
He added: “I am honoured to be named club captain of a club like Leicester Tigers, with such rich history of captains, but just as much to have been given the responsibility in this group with these players.”
Incredibly, Liebenberg is only the second non-English club captain named by Tigers in more than 50 years, as he replaces now Bristol Bears prop Genge.
READ MORE: Duncan Taylor: Scotland international centre signs one-year extension at Premiership giants Saracens
