Double blow for Boks

 

They join a long list of players already out of action because of injury.

 

Whiteley picked up a calf injury during training recently and has not recovered sufficiently to play in the final Test of the season on Saturday.

 

Du Plessis, who missed the victory over Italy last weekend with a hamstring strain, has also not recovered in time and will join two other tighthead props – Frans Malherbe and Marcel van der Merwe – on the sidelines.

 

“I always like to give injured players enough time to recover, but I don’t think Warren and Jannie will be ready to face Wales,” said Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts.

 

At this stage no replacements will be called up.

 

Apart from Whiteley, Du Plessis, Malherbe and Van der Merwe, the following Springboks are also not available because of injury: Fourie du Preez, Ruan Pienaar, Schalk Brits, Flip van der Merwe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Francois Louw, Siya Kolisi, Arno Botha, Pierre Spies and Willem Alberts.