BACKROW Gerrit-Jan van Velze will be leading Worcester Warriors in this season’s Aviva Premiership campaign.

The 27-year-old South African will be skippering Warriors for a second season, director of rugby Dean Ryan confirmed.

Van Velze succeeded Jonathan Thomas as captain and led Warriors to promotion from the Greene King IPA Championship in his first campaign at Sixways.

After two years at Northampton Saints where van Velze played 45 times, he made 23 appearances for Warriors and scored five tries.

The experienced Phil Dowson wore the captain’s armband in van Velze absence in Worcester’s 43-35 home defeat against the Barbarians last Saturday.

Ryan confirmed van Velze would continue as skipper but has praised the leadership qualities of 33-year-old Dowson, who joined Warriors in the summer after a six-year spell at Northampton.

“Dowson has got great leadership qualities,” said Ryan.

“He understands the game and it’s important to have more people who understand the game and are sharper around because it lessens the load for others."

Before moving to England, van Velze was part of the Blue Bulls squad and twice captained the province's junior team to the Vodacom Cup.

Warriors open their Premiership campaign against Northampton Saints at Sixways on October 16 (7.45pm).