Lions loose‑forward Warren Whiteley has been named as South Africa’s captain as coach Allister Coetzee announced his squad for the three‑test home series against France in June.
Whiteley takes over from hooker Adriaan Strauss, who retired from international rugby at the end of last season, and will be the 58th player to lead the Springboks in tests.
Returning to the squad are No 8 Duane Vermeulen and utility back Frans Steyn as the Boks look to put behind them a disastrous 2016, the worst in the country's test history, in which they won only four of their 12 matches.
