JOHANNESBURG – Springbok captain Warren Whiteley will learn on Monday about the severity of a groin injury that kept him out of a 35-12 triumph over France this weekend, which completed a 3-0 series whitewash.
The loose forward was withdrawn from the team just a couple of hours before the kickoff after aggravating a groin strain by landing awkwardly during a midweek lineout session.
“We do not know at this stage how serious the injury to Warren is,” admitted Springbok coach Allister Coetzee to reporters. “He will be assessed on Monday, and a decision taken together with the medical team of the Golden Lions.
“Warren has been struggling with a bit of a groin strain for a while. We decided to give him as much time as possible to be declared fit. After he landed awkwardly in a lineout session, we sent him for a scan, and it was revealed that he had a little tear.
“Sometimes you patch up a player and make it possible for him to get through a game, but we decided it was not worth the risk.”
South Africa next play on August 19 against Argentina in their Rugby Championship opener in Port Elizabeth.
Whiteley was named Bok captain this year in succession to hooker Adriaan Strauss, who retired after a calamitous 2016 season in which the team lost eight of 12 Tests.
He was due to lead the Johannesburg-based Golden Lions in a Super Rugby match against the Sunwolves next weekend. The Lions lie second in the overall standings, seven points behind the Crusaders with a game in hand.
The team topping the final table enjoys home advantage in every knockout match they play.