Whiteley to be rewarded with contract

Lions and Springbok captain Warren Whiteley is reportedly set to become the first player to be rewarded with a dual contract by new Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.

Afrikaans website, Netwerk24, reported on Sunday that negotiations between Erasmus, Whiteley’s agent and Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli were at an advanced staged.

Whiteley represented the Springboks without a national contract last year - which allowed him to also play in Japan during the off-season.

A dual national and franchise contract will force Whiteley to scale down on his playing schedule.

Whiteley was named Springbok captain at the start of last season before a groin injury cut short his season.

He will again be a contender for national captain in 2018.

Whiteley's leadership is crucial to the Lions....it's a fair bet that if he and the coach are simpatico, he could do the same job for the Boks.