Captaincy conundrum for Stormers

Schalk Burger is being tipped to take the Stormers captaincy back from Bok skipper Jean de Villiers after a year on the sidelines.

The experienced flank led the Cape side in their opening Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes at Newlands last year, but his season ended that day when he tore ligaments in his knee.

De Villiers stepped up and took the Stormers to a home semifinal before going on to captain the national side under new coach Heyneke Meyer, but appears set to hand the Stormers captaincy back to Burger when the Super Rugby season gets underway next month.

Meyer has indicated that he would like De Villiers to continue leading the Boks this year, but with Burger finally back to full fitness he could find himself deputising at Super Rugby level according to reports in the Cape media.

Although this may be viewed in some quarters as a clash of interests, it could also take some of the pressure off De Villiers and allow him to concentrate on his game and leadership role at national level.

Coach Allister Coetzee is not expected to confirm his decision any time soon, although clarity on Bryan Habana's expected move to Toulon will be given on Friday.