On Tuesday Whiteley was named the 58th Springbok captain during the squad announcement in Johannesburg.

The influential skipper takes over the reins from Adriaan Strauss who retired from international rugby at the end of last year.

Whiteley says it’s important for him to have a strong leadership group within the squad.

“It’s really important to have a guy like Duane who has played in many Tests. 

"To have a guy like Eben who has over 50 Tests, a guy like Siya, and there are a number of players with great experience who have been through it all.

“I can still learn from them every day and that’s what is important.

“I’m not there to be there to be the be-all and end-all, I just want to do what I usually do.”

The coach Allister Coetzee in his turn said that it was a no-brainer picking Whiteley as his skipper.

“There should be a certain picture of what a captain should be like when it comes to leading a South African Springbok side.

“A characteristic of a man that has walked the walk, a man that has paid his dues and school fees and a man that will that will make sure to glue a very young Springbok side together.

“You know of course with some experience and to make sure that we get the results.

“It’s really an honour for me to embark on this journey against the French with our new captain, Warren Whiteley.”

Duane Vermeulen and Frans Steyn have both been included in the squad, while Oupa Mohoje and Raymond Rhule are the only Toyota Cheetahs named in the side.

Francois Venter, Ox Nche and Fred Zeilinga will represent South Africa A against the French Barbarians.

Forwards - Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Ruan Dreyer, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Jaco Kriel, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Oupa Mohoje, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, Lizo Gqoboka, Coenie Oosthuizen, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Duane Vermeulen, Warren Whiteley (captain).

Backs - Lukhanyo Am, Andries Coetzee, Ross Cronje, Damian de Allende, Francois Hougaard, Elton Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Dillyn Leyds, Rudy Paige, Raymond Rhule, Jan Serfontein, Courtnall Skosan, Frans Steyn.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport