Leicester statement: Hanro Liebenberg succeeds Genge as captain

Steve Borthwick has named Hanro Liebenberg as the new Leicester Tigers captain following the off-season departure to Bristol of Ellis Genge, the England prop who led the club to Gallagher Premiership title glory in June. The back-rower is the first South African, and just the second non-English person in more than 50 years, to be given the responsibility of skippering the club.

A Leicester statement read: “Hanro Liebenberg has been appointed Leicester Tigers club captain. The back-rower has made 59 appearances for the club since his debut in September 2019 after joining the club ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.

“Liebenberg was appointed vice-captain ahead of last season in which he led the side on several occasions. He has previous leadership experience after captaining South Africa U20s in 2015, leading the Junior Springboks in that season’s World Rugby U20s Championship. The 26-year-old won the supporters’ player of the year award at the conclusion of the 2020/21 season.

“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 and follows Ellis Genge, Tom Youngs and Ed Slater in recently earning the role.”

Liebenberg said: “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. 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 a rich history of captains, but just as much to have been given the responsibility in this group with these players.”