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'Had a shocker' - Clear scapegoat emerges for Springbok flop
By Kim Ekin
Social media can be an unforgiving place and there was nowhere to hide for Springboks flyhalf Elton Jantjies – who was heavily criticised following their win in Pretoria on Saturday.
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Jantjies – who got the shepherd’s crook- had a torrid time with the boot. The former Lions 10 struggled with kicking from hand and from the tee, costing the Springboks multiple points-scoring opportunities. He’s always had his critics, but this fruitless display has played right into their hands.
In wild contrast, his replacement shone. Damian Willemse clinched the game with a 82nd-minute penalty and played well throughout his time on the field and looks likes like his sure thing for the Springbok 10 jersey next weekend.
Meanwhile Jantjies – who recently managed to avoid a court case over an incident on an aeroplane – was the scapegoat in chief on Twitter.
Former Wales and Lions wing Dafydd James noted: ‘Good start for Wales started with a bang disruption to set piece and frustrating SA. Boks Jantjies is having a torrid time.’
Good start for Wales started with a bang disruption to set piece and frustrating SA. Boks Jantjies is having a torrid time. Water breaks every 14 mins?
— Dafydd James (@DafyddJames13) July 2, 2022
The Daily Mail’s Alex Bywater concurred, writing: “Springboks very rusty and Jantjies has had a shocker at 10… Boks have to hook Jantjies surely but lack of specialist replacement 10 holding them back?”
Huge period for Wales at start of the second half. If they can see out the rest of Biggar yellow with minimal or no damage, they will grow another 10 feet. Boks have to hook Jantjies surely but lack of specialist replacement 10 holding them back? #RSAvWAL
— Alex Bywater (@_AlexBywater) July 2, 2022
Popular South African rugby writer AP Cronje summed up what many South Afrian fans must have been thinking: ‘Why did Jantjies kick that? His selection is because he’s supposed to give our attack direction. He hasn’t done that, and his kicking has been poor. Goal kicking. Line kicking. Kicking out of hand. Having an absolute horror show… .. Jantjies is cursed at the moment – even when he makes a good read it results in a Wales try.”
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Why did Jantjies kick that? His selection is because he’s supposed to give our attack direction. He hasn’t done that, and his kicking has been poor. Goal kicking. Line kicking. Kicking out of hand. Having an absolute horror show.
— A-P (@rugby_ap) July 2, 2022
Jantjies is cursed at the moment 😂 even when he makes a good read it results in a Wales try. Mountain to climb now!
— A-P (@rugby_ap) July 2, 2022
A similar level of opprobrium was mirrored across the social platform.
Fuck Jantjies is having a mare. There I said it. #RSAvWAL
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) July 2, 2022
Elton Jantjies can be a genius. But not today #WalesSpringboks
— Max du Preez (@MaxduPreez) July 2, 2022
Jantjies got his boots on the wrong feet today
— Ron Swanson (@RonSwanson145) July 2, 2022
Elton Jantjies boot isn’t quite working so far…
2 Missed penalties and now finding the dead ball area off a penalty. #RSAvWAL
— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) July 2, 2022
In stark contrast, Willemse was having his praises sung from all and sundry. The totally unbiased official Stormers account wrote: “You want Damian Willemse on your team every time. He is a class above.”
You want Damian Willemse on your team every time. He is a class above. #iamastormer #gaza #strongertogether #strongerforever pic.twitter.com/8FbqN7xyn5
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) July 2, 2022
Even with star flyhalf Handre Pollard injured, it appears Jantjies reign as his second fiddle has come to end.
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