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Jantjies breaks silence on his affair and drug rehab clinic claim

(Photo by Steve Haag/PA Images via Getty Images)

Out-of-favour Springboks fly-half Elton Jantjies has broken his recent silence, reportedly owning up to having an affair with national team dietician Zeenat Simjee but denying enrolling into a drug rehabilitation clinic. With the Springboks now one game into their four-Test European tour, Jantjies and his wife have given an interview to News24 detailing what they claim caused the player’s axing from the South African squad.

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It was in September, shortly after the Springboks had arrived in Buenos Aires for their round five Rugby Championship match, when a media report emerged that Jantjies was allegedly having an affair with his team’s dietician and that the pair had stayed together in a Mbombela guesthouse before the South African round one TRC Test against the All Blacks in August.

At the time, the allegation of an affair having taken place was denied but Iva Ristic, Jantjies’ wife, has now confirmed that an affair did take place as her husband said so. Elton Jantjies also addressed a separate media report that he had recently checked into a drugs rehabilitation clinic. Instead, he admitted to checking into the Harmony Clinic rehabilitation centre in Cape Town due to rugby injuries and to treat his insomnia.

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“I deeply regret allowing them to tell a story that I should have clearly handled myself,” said Jantjies, the currently surplus-to-requirement Springboks player about what was said on his behalf when the alleged affair controversy first broke. “The statement put out into the media was not written by me; I understand that at the time, a statement needed to be issued on the articles being published about me

“I also noted that I was portrayed to be a drug addict with mental health issues. I can proudly say I have no mental health issues, and I was never in a rehab centre for drug abuse… I am working on clearing my name of the slander I have been experiencing lately. I am deeply saddened that I was not cast to go and play with my team because of my injuries and because I did not get enough game time during the year.

“This has not been an easy ride for me. I’ve had to take a really hard look at my life and the choices I made in the past,” he added regarding his marriage. “I know my actions have caused a great deal of pain to everyone, especially my wife who has always been by my side. I have apologised to her and have made it my mission to make it up to her for as long as I live.

Regarding the allegation of the affair, Jantjies’ wife said: “I always had my suspicions because there were plenty of times when I would wonder where his money is going. The multiple flights booked for the two of them only and the separate hotels they have been booking for months when on the Boks tour was just one of the many signs that this affair was going on for a while.

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“I am hurt and deeply disappointed in both of them. I understand that the affair has been going on for very long, but right now we just want to do right by the kids and move on. This chapter of our lives has been dragging on for too long and I just want it to be done so we can all move on. I don’t think I will ever be romantically involved with Elton again.”

The News24 report added that efforts to contact dietician Simjee had come to nothing. “Numerous attempts to reach Simjee, including on social media, were unsuccessful,” it said.

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That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


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Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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