With Conor Murray already serving as tour captain, his international teammate Iain Henderson will lead out the British and Irish Lions in Wednesday's game against Cell C Sharks at Emirates Airline Park.
No Irish players started in the Lions opener against Sigma Lions at the weekend but there's two in the XV tonight, Bundee Aki also starting at centre. Murray, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne and Jack Conan are named in the replacements.
The 29-year-old Ulster lock Henderson, who has amassed 63 caps for Ireland since his debut in 2012, spoke of feeling hugely honoured to captain the side out in Johannesburg.
"So many of these guys are leaders amongst their countries and their clubs," he told the assembled media.
"I feel that my job as captain is to ensure that those guys are able to express themselves as best possible.
"That's not ensuring that I'm the one doing all the talking. Most of these guys have a better idea of what they're doing than what I do. I'm happy enough to let these guys do their own thing, ensure that they can bring out their strengths.
"The quicker we can gel together, the better we'll see the performance.
"I'm incredibly honoured to do this. I'm looking forward to it and I'm incredibly excited about leading out what I think is an incredible bunch of guys."
Meanwhile, Elliot Daly and Warren Gatland are unified in seeing outside centre as the versatile England back's most dangerous position.
Daly made a significant impact off the bench in Saturday's stroll against the outclassed Sigma Lions and has secured his first start of the South Africa tour against the Sharks on Wednesday.
In 52 caps for his country, the Saracen has been picked at outside centre just once five years ago with Eddie Jones instead finding a home for him not in his preferred position but at full-back or on the wing.
"I love playing at 13 - I get my hands on the ball and I'm able to defend a bit more and make a difference there too," Daly said.
"I'm looking to put my best foot forward and whatever the team needs from me on Wednesday, I'll do.
"I want to be in the game as much as possible and, for me, 13 is where you get that. But I'm here to play and be part of this team in any way I can."
Gatland has taken Daly to South Africa as part of his four-strong centre contingent that also includes Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki and Chris Harris and the Lions boss has a clear picture of where his strengths lie.
"Elliot was outstanding on Saturday, not just from an attacking perspective, but he defended really well too," Gatland said.
"We know he can cover the wing and full-back, but as he gets a little bit older and gets more experienced I think that (centre) is definitely a position for him for the future."
Within Daly's skillset is a big left boot that the 28-year-old is having to adjust with the squad based at altitude in Johannesburg, where the opening phase of the tour takes place.
"The altitude makes a difference - five or ten metres pretty easily. It's not just affecting kicking, it's affecting catching as well for the wingers and full-backs," Daly said.
"The ball is travelling a little bit differently. It's good that we are training at altitude on a day-to-day basis so that when we get into games it's not a shock.
"It does fly a lot further, the ball just seems to keep going. It's making sure, when you are that far back, that you don't try and whack it."
