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'Had a shocker' - Clear scapegoat emerges for Springbok flop

Wales' wing Louis Rees-Zammit (L) dives to score the team's first try as South Africa's fly-half Elton Jantjies (R) looks on during an international rugby union match between South Africa and Wales at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on July 2, 2022. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP) (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

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      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.’

      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?”

      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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      A similar level of opprobrium was mirrored across the social platform.

      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.”

      Even with star flyhalf Handre Pollard injured, it appears Jantjies reign as his second fiddle has come to end.

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      J
      JW 1 hour ago
      Where is the new breed of All Black 10?

      LOL angry at what? You trying to put words into peoples mouths with your wild theories? No I’m well used to that by now mate.

      ou should stop making silly comments like ‘a very small set of examples’ if you don’t want ppl to call you out and start taking you seriously!

      I have no idea what you’re talking about.

      FYI he’s started at 10 53 times since 2020/21 in all comps.

      Yes, as I’ve said. 38 of those times were (SR) after Mo’unga left for Japan, and possibly even the 8 times for Waikato (even though on a ‘sabbatical’ he was still made to play NPC after returning from Japan for some reason) were because NZR told him he had to switch because Richie was leaving.


      I can’t really make sense of what you’re trying to argue but all I can think I said was;

      He’s only got a very small set of examples so understandable people don’t immediately adjust to him as the best in the world

      I’m referring to international fans, who are only really going to watch the All Blacks, so yes, it’s them trying to compare his games last year to what they imagine he played like as a fullback for so long. Outside that, he’s played say now 45 odd times since he made the switch, and only 30 odd (thanks to a full SR season there) of the past 150 before that, you’re idea that it makes him a first five and therefor not still learning, is “entirely false”


      If you want people to start taking you seriously Nick you really need to up your debating game! No seriously though I know I like to avoid explaining things for dummies but you very rarely have the right take on any of my theories, you’ve just got you’re own angle that takes over, so don’t expect to be able to debate much (as it will be by yourself basically lol). I suspect it’s something to do with needing to keep a lot of things in your mind for your articles that it’s probably impossible for you to just listen and not introduce outside noise, so no biggie.

      164 Go to comments
      J
      Jacob Brown 1 hour ago
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