"Last year it was tough, unbelievably tough, as we fought all the way from October up until April," Van Wyk says.
While under a cloud of disappointment, the Ruahine Motors Ford player says the Stags didn't lose heart.
"If we can just learn from the lessons of last [season] and be stronger for it then we will be better."
Noema-Barnett remains "massively important" although some fans feel the leadership role has impinged on his ability to be the allrounder he can be.
"I've always been a fan of how Barney plays his cricket and, like other players, he's a crucial cog in our wheel," says Van Wyk.
Noema-Barnett's captaincy was fine, he says, but sometimes it was difficult for him to bring the team up with him.
"I think we all let ourselves down a little bit last season and that put a lot of pressure on the captain."
Van Wyk is the first to admit leadership brings its own challenges, something he did for more than two years with the Canterbury Wizards, helping clinch the State Championship in 2008-09, but was relieved of his duties the following summer.
He crossed the floor to CD where he relieved when captain Jamie How was unavailable.
"I've captained a lot of teams in South Africa as well before so it's an honour to be given the captaincy but with it comes a lot of responsibility."
The prospect of working with a "great bunch of guys" excites him before the season-opening shield game on October 26 against Otago Volts at Nelson Park, Napier.
He doesn't think the role of captaincy can be pigeon-holed but the ability to connect with people and to find a common denominator that everyone can relate to are vital.
"Hopefully we can try to restore those values that good cultures can build on."
He and South African Malan have discussed the role in depth and what they can bring to the collective in their different capacities.
"From now it's cricket so we've got to get our hands dirty and go from here," says the South African-born cricketer who Malan has given licence "to be his own man".
"That's important to me as well because I want to captain as I believe it should be done."
He lauds Malan for providing players a platform to enhance their own careers.
"That's what I'm excited about as well because he shows a lot of trust in people ... "
George Worker, of Manawatu, returns to the CD fold with the "usual suspects" in a season when new CD chief executive Neil "Pods" Hood intends to champion home-grown prospects.
"We have players who have been with CD for [several years] and they have become household names so I'm waiting for them to get themselves into a nice routine of performance in all three formats.
"There are no new faces or big faces or overseas signings but 16 CD boys who want to do well and that's what I'm happy about."
While Doug Bracewell was off to the United Arab Emirates with his recall to the Black Caps squad, Van Wyk is delighted.
"He's worked so hard over winter and you see his performance in the nets where he's fit, strong and hungry so I'm really pleased for him.
"You talk about leadership and that's the sort of thing we want to see from our boys, not just being a captain but everyone leading in their own way.
"I'm pleased we've lost Dougie to the Black Caps but we'll have him from time to time."
Van Wyk reiterates his mantra of harbouring Black Caps ambitions after playing nine tests in 2012.
"I don't think you can ever stop having that. I always think the day you stop wanting to have higher honours is the day the red lights will start flashing.
"I'm still hungry. I know it's an outside chance but I'd love to have another crack if the opportunity arises."
