Whiteley 'on hold', as Cronje returns

Whiteley, who missed the third Test against France at Ellis Park this past weekend, may miss several weeks with a groin strain that has troubled him throughout South Africa's June Tests.

He landed badly in a line-out training session last week and has been sent for Tests.

Lions coach Johan Ackermann confirmed that the Bok skipper went for 'MRI, sonar and blood' tests on Monday.

The results won' be known until Tuesday or Wednesday.

However, it is believed he could be sidelined for two to three weeks - missing the last two Super Rugby league matches, against the Sunwolves (Saturday, July 1) and Sharks (Saturday, July 15) - and might only be available for the play-offs.

The good news is that the Lions' Springbok scrumhalf, Ross Cronjé, has been cleared to face the Sunwolves this coming Saturday.

Cronje missed the third and final Test against France on Saturday because of delayed concussion symptoms - following the second Test in Durban.

Ackermann also has some difficult selection decisions to make.

Fourteen of the Lions' players were involved in the June matches between South African and French teams.

Ackermann said he will decide "later in the week" what roles the players will play against the SAunwolves.

Apart from Whiteley, the Lions who played for the Springboks in the Test against France include Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan, Lionel Mapoe, Elton Jantjies, Franco Mostert, Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx and Jaco Kriel.

On top of that Ruan Combrinck, Harold Vorster, Ruan Ackermann and Andries Ferreira played for South Africa A against the French Barbarians.

Ackermann is set to name his team on Thursday will most likely only reveal then the number of Boks that will front up to the Japanese franchise.

By Jan de Koning

@rugby365com