Lions coach John Mitchell feels there is no need to change a winning formula and will go into the 2012 Super Rugby season with the same leadership group.

Mitchell confirmed that No.8 Josh Strauss will captain the side and that centre Doppies la Grange will be the vice-captain.

"There is no need to change a successful leadership group ... both captain and vice-captain," the coach told this website, when asked about the decision to retain the leaders who took the team to Currie Cup success in 2011.

The announcement is not a surprise, given the manner in which Strauss, with his trademark beard, and La Grange kept the team together during their match to domestic glory - the first time in 12 years that the Lions won the Currie Cup.

Mitchell pointed out that the side has other players - such as Cobus Grobbelaar, Wikus van Heerden and Franco van der Merwe - who are capable of leading the Lions.

The Lions, who trained in Rustenburg this week, have a few minor injury concerns. But according to the coach veteran Bok centre Waylon Murray is the only player unlikely to feature in the Super Rugby competition.

"We are managing five or six guys ... guys like Wikus [van Heerden], CJ [van der Linde], Elton [Jantjies], [Michael] Rhodes," Mitchell told this website, adding: "That is why you got to have the depth, because every week you are going to have that scenario.

"However, there is nothing too major - they should all be available for the start of the season."

By Jan de Koning