Springbok coach Allister Coetzee named Whiteley, who has captained the Emirates Lions in more than 50 Vodacom Super Rugby matches, as national captain on Tuesday in Johannesburg.
He will start in this role in the forthcoming Castle Lager Incoming Series against France next month.
The 29-year-old Whiteley said he was surprised by Coetzee’s decision to make him the next Springbok captain, but that he was grateful for the opportunity and relished the challenge to lead the team.
“I only found out last night, when I had my usual one-on-one talk with Coach Allister,” said Whiteley.
