Flyhalf Cronje has eye on Kings captaincy

EXPERIENCED flyhalf Lionel Cronje has thrown his hat into the ring as a candidate to lead the Southern Kings in Super Rugby.

After last season’s inspirational skipper Steven Sykes upped sticks and moved to France to play for Oyonnax, the Kings must find a new leader.

Apart from Cronje, a former Queens College schoolboy, other contenders could be Schalk Ferreira and Ricky Schroeder, who have both held leadership roles in the past.

Kings head coach Deon Davids says his team have many leaders in various departments.

“We are still in the process of identifying leaders and, at this point in time, we have identified different leaders for different aspects of the game.

“We have got unit leaders and leaders that run the team attack and defence and also leaders that look at the off-field operations of the team.

“And within that, as we go into the next few weeks, we will decide who will lead the team for the year.”

Cronje, who is back in the game after a nine month break, is one of the players Davids must be considering for a leadership role.

“I am comfortable to take a leadership role and I view myself as a leader specially playing flyhalf where it has to be part of your anatomy. It has got to be part of who you are to lead the team,” Cronje said.

“I am the sort of person who really enjoys working with the youngsters.

“We have got Garrick Mattheus coming through and also Coyi Banda from Border. It is a great opportunity for those guys and I am excited with what we have got.

“In my position I can mentor the guys and give advice . We have got a tight group at No 10 and Pieter-Steyn de Wet is also there from the Cheetahs so I am really looking forward to it and I enjoy the responsibility.”

The former Sharks flyhalf says competition for berths in the starting line-up to face to the Jaguares on February 25 will be fierce.

“The nice thing about a set-up like the one here is that everyone will have a chance to be into the starting lineup going into the competition.”

Cronje says he prefers to play a running game rather than a kicking one.

“I really enjoy the attack part of the game and that is where I get my energy from and where I play my best rugby.

“Obviously there will be times where we have to kick. That is also part of the game.

“It is just the timing of when to kick and that is what we have been working really hard on. We want to kick smart and learn when to run and when to kick and also to see when there is an opportunity to attack.”