Whiteley & Pollard in race against time for Rugby Championship

Springbok captain Warren Whiteley and flyhalf Handre Pollard are both in a race against time to prove their fitness for the Rugby Championship.

Whiteley missed the final Test against France and has been recovering a from a groin injury he aggravated.

Pollard underwent a minor 'surgical procedure' last week and is also in a race against time to recover in time for the Boks' opening Test of the Rugby Championship.

Springbok team doctor Konrad von Hagen said Whiteley will not be fit to play in the Super Rugby Final next week, should the Lions advance.

"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.

 
Pollard, meanwhile, is making good progress following his minor ankle procedure.

 
"Handré has started with some running exercises and he will continue with his gradual loading programme," Von Hagen said.

 
"He took part in some training sessions and did extra rehabilitation and fitness exercises.

 
Meanwhile, Springbok coach Allister Coetzee expressed his satisfaction at the outcome of the medical and conditioning assessment camp which was held over the past four days in Stellenbosch.
 
Coetzee described the camp a great benefit for the Boks' upcoming Rugby Championship campaign.
 
"The camp was a very good exercise and I am very pleased that we have achieved all our goals," said Coetzee.
 
 
According to Von Hagen, the medical and conditioning team had plenty of opportunities to evaluate the medical, fitness and conditioning status of the group of 14 players during the camp.
 
Players who attended the Springbok assessment camp in Stellenbosch are Handré Pollard, Lodewyk de Jager, Jan Serfontein, Rudy Paige, Lizo Gqoboka, Jesse Kriel, Trevor Nyakane (all Bulls), Uzair Cassiem, Retshegofaditswe Nché, Teboho Mohoje, Raymond Rhule, Francois Venter (all Cheetahs), Lionel Cronje (Southern Kings) and Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).