Boks hopeful Whiteley can face Pumas

Cape Town - The Springbok management team is hopeful that captain Warren Whiteley will be available for the team's Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Port Elizabeth.

Springbok team doctor Konrad von Hagen on Thursday confirmed that Whiteley’s groin injury will not allow him to participate in the remainder of the Super Rugby competition.

However, there is hope that the No 8 can lead the Springboks in their clash against Los Pumas at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on August 19.

“Warren’s injury requires time to heal and he will hopefully recover in time for the Rugby Championship, but at this stage we are taking it week for week in conjunction with the medical team of the Lions,” Von Hagen said on Thursday.

Should Whiteley be unavailable for the first game of the Rugby Championship, lock Eben Etzebeth is expected to lead the Boks.

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