Injured Whiteley could miss four Super Rugby matches

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa and Golden Lions skipper Warren Whiteley could miss the next four rounds of Super Rugby because of a knee injury, his franchise said on Monday.

The 30-year-old number eight hurt his knee last Saturday playing for the Lions against the Auckland Blues in Johannesburg and was forced to come off  19 minutes into the match.

"Warren sustained a grade two PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) injury and faces around four weeks on the sidelines," a Lions official said.

Whiteley recently resumed playing after spending half of last year sidelined by a groin injury sustained during a home Test series against France.

Should he be ruled out for a month, Whiteley will miss home matches against the Sunwolves, Canterbury Crusaders and Western Stormers and an away fixture against the Jaguares.

Whiteley is a key figure for the Lions, using his inspirational leadership and talent to help transform the team from perennial strugglers to 2016 and 2017 Super Rugby runners-up.

Despite a surprise 38-35 loss to the Blues, the Lions have built a seven-point lead over the Coastal Sharks after only four rounds in the South African conference.

Whiteley was appointed South Africa skipper last year, but led the Springboks only twice before being injured.