Elton Jantjies breaks silence on Boks omission

Elton Jantjies says he “supports” the decision not to include him in the Bok squad for the upcoming November tour.

Jantjies has been in headlines since he was sent home ahead of the Springboks’ Rugby Championship match against Los Pumas in Argentina in September after media reports suggested the flyhalf had an affair with team dietician Zeenat Simjee.

On Tuesday, South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus explained that a lack of game time was the reason why Jantjies will not go on tour. On that same day, a 26-man squad was unveiled for a training camp in Stellenbosch and Johan Goosen was the only player listed as a flyhalf.

Jantjies opened up on the Bok management’s decision in an Instagram post on Friday.

“Given the wide reporting regarding my omission from the Springbok squad and clarification from the coaching staff that I was not up for selection for the November tour, I would like to place it on record that I fully understand support the decision,” said Jantjies.

“The fact of the matter is that I have not played rugby since the Rugby Championship and that in the last few weeks I have kept to my public and personal promise to seek professional help and focus on my mental health to ensure that I get my personal life and career back on track.

“It was the best decision I’ve ever made.

“I’ve been training throughout, and I’m in a good space mentally and physically.

“I have received fantastic support from a therapeutic team with whom I have been working closely to ensure that my personal welfare remains my top focus and priority, and I know it will require hard work and a huge effort to remain on this path.

“However, I’m fully committed and hope to return to the rugby field as a better man and player.

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“I have no doubt this decision will benefit me personally, my rugby career, my family, and SA’s faithful rugby supporters.”