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Elton Jantjies breaks silence on Boks omission

Springboks player Elton Jantjies signs a rugby ball for a fan after the South African Rugby team's arrival at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on November 5, 2019. (Photo by Guillem Sartorio / AFP) (Photo by GUILLEM SARTORIO/AFP via Getty Images)

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

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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

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

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C
CO 36 minutes ago
Forget Ireland, the All Blacks face the real alpha of Europe next

I cannot believe that you don't think the French rugby team coach and captain are not discussing putting Jalibert on the bench in favour of Duponts club teammate that doesn't even play at 10.


This is a terrible, massive insult to a 10 and I'm sure Dupont would also be very enraged if benched for a player that doesn't even play halfback.


A good captain would've insisted to the coach that it was an idea of madness and either select Jalibert or replace him with another 10 if you want him to be reserve.


Jalibert may not be the world's finest tacklers but that's often not a tens main strength that the loose forwards and second five cover. An intercept pass is never great but they happen.


When any player is playing for his club then it's club first, respect doesn't need to be shown to opposition players simply because they're internationals.


Who exactly are you claiming Jalibert hasn't respected? If it's Toulouse international players then it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this bench demotion out.


The outcome of selecting Jalibert to the bench and he then throwing his croissants out the window of the team bus immediately prior to playing the Allblacks is a disaster that will be team disharmony as any team mates of Jalibert are in a state of anger and revolt so a performance that will be sub optimal against a team that is thirsting for revenge against France.


I don't know about you but the Allblacks are very upset they've lost twice in a row to France and want to put out a statement performance so this preparation by Galthie of creating havoc looks to me like a coach that is clueless.

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