The team has reached two finals in 2016 and 2017, which were losses against the Hurricanes and Crusaders respectively, since Whiteley was named captain.

Whiteley was ruled out of the final mid-year test against France due to injury, however, being replaced as captain by Stormers lock Eben Etzebeth.

Whiteley missed the Super Rugby playoffs due to injury, with Jaco Kriel taking over as captain of the Lions.

However, he sustained an injury against the Blues and missed the majority of the Super Rugby season as well as the mid-year internationals, a match against Wales and a three-match series against England.

Whiteley started every game for South Africa in the 2018 Rugby Championship, including a 34–36 victory against New Zealand at Westpac Stadium.