Steyn the 'ideal' Sharks skipper

World Cup-winning Springbok midfielder Frans Steyn will take over the captaincy of the Sharks.

Sharks coach John Plumtree confirmed that the 25-year-old will fill the void left by the absence of regular skipper Keegan Daniel through injury.

Daniel, who has been captain since the 2011 Currie Cup, limped off the Woodburn Stadium pitch last Friday after he sustained a grade two injury to his medial cruciate ligament in the knee in their opening warm-up game - a 71-8 win over the Leopards.

Steyn, the vice-captain, wore the skipper's armband last Friday and will now formally take over as captain till Daniel returns in April.

"Frans becomes the ideal candidate for the captaincy in terms of experience," Plumtree said on the Sharks website, when asked about Steyn - now considered a Sharks veteran and certainly a more mature player that left for France three years ago..

"He has the respect of the players, leads by example and he’s a winner. We know that everyone will get behind him and support him."

The Sharks coach added that there are enough experienced campaigners in the squad who can assist in terms of strategy.

"They will help him out with advice which is important."

In naming Steyn as his captain against the Leopards last Friday, Plumtree pointed out that the 1.91m and 110kg centre would now play a much bigger role for the Sharks and get a lot more game time.

The Sharks end their pre-season campaign with a match against the Pumas on Friday, before making final preparations for their opening match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein next Saturday.