Lionel Mapoe and Damian de Allende sat out the Springboks' field training sessions in Plettenberg Bay this week because of injury niggles.

Mapoe picked up a minor hamstring strain earlier in the week, while De Allende is troubled by a thigh contusion sustained during the last week of Super Rugby.

The Bok squad travel to Pretoria on Sunday and the team for the first Test in Pretoria will be announced on Thursday.

Francois Hougaard will join the squad on Monday, while Duane Vermeulen joins them on Tuesday after playing for Toulon in the Top 14 final.

Bok captain Whiteley lauded the impact of the Plettenberg Bay training camp.

'We are essentially a new group, so it was important for us to be able to spend quality time together as a team.

'Off the field we really spent a good deal of time to focus on the building of a strong and enjoyable team environment. Those activities were thoroughly enjoyable and it gave us chance to get to know one another much better, which is so important for a good team environment.'

South African Test referee Jaco Peyper spent two days at the camp to assist the team with many technical aspects of the laws.

'Jaco is a very experienced and well-respected international referee, and for us as players it was a rare chance to spend quality time with him and to gain insight from his experience as a world-class referee,' explained Whiteley.

'We covered a lot of important technical detail with him and we as players really enjoyed the interaction with Jaco.'

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images