Former Baby Bok makes Tigers history

NEWS: South African back row forward Hanro Liebenberg has been appointed Leicester Tigers club captain.

Liebenberg is the first South African - and just the second non-English skipper in more than half a century - to be named Leicester Tigers club captain.

He has made 59 appearances for the club since his debut in September 2019, after joining ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.

Liebenberg was appointed vice-captain ahead of last season, in which he led the side on several occasions, and has previous leadership experience after captaining South Africa Under-20 in 2015, leading the Junior Springboks in that season's World Rugby Under-20 Championship.

The 26-year-old won the Supporters' Player of the Year award at the conclusion of the 2020/21 season.

"It is a great honour for me," Liebenberg said.

"I know it will be a big challenge but it is a challenge I want to take on.

"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.

"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."