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'Should never be in the Springboks again' - SA rocked by Bok's scandal
By Ian Cameron
Rugby fans have been reacting to a sensational turn of events for the Springboks, who have been rocked by a sex scandal involving flyhalf Elton Jantjies.
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Jantjies, along with team dietician Zeenat Simjee, have been told to go home to face the country’s media after a front-page story revealed an apparent affair between the pair.
Many now believe that the father of three Jantjies may never wear the Springbok jersey again as a result of the steamy affair.
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The pair were reportedly spied at a hotel in Nelspruit in South Africa prior to the Springboks’ game with the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship last month and it has become instant fodder for the country’s tabloids this Sunday.
The question now is whether or not the Bok bad boy’s career – already on the rocks thanks to a run of poor Test form – can be saved. Plenty think the answer to that question is a resounding no.
“Well then, I guess we’ll never see Jantjies in a Bok jersey again. Interesting to see who Nienaber will call up,” wrote one Springbok supporter on Twitter.
Well then, I guess we’ll never see Jantjies in a Bok jersey again. Interesting to see who Nienaber will call up.
— Ofentse (@OfentseLehong) September 11, 2022
“Elton jantjies man I’m so disappointed in him,” wrote another. “should never be in the Springboks again.”
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Elton jantjies man I'm so disappointed in him …. ? should never be in the springboks again
— FN_tsg (@rugbyfanatic14) September 11, 2022
Another fan observed: “If the stories are true… Elton Jantjies is in pure self-sabotage mode. Such a talent, hope he gets himself together coz he will regret it in the long run. Sad!”.
If the stories are true… Elton Jantjies is in pure self sabotage mode. Such a talent, hope he gets himself together coz he will regret it in the long run. Sad!!
— Fiso Mazibuko (@fismaz007) September 11, 2022
One fan felt the scandal reflected badly on the Boks more broadly, writing: “For guys who always bang on about having good men on the team and rugby values, the Springboks have done themselves a disservice with their handling of Elton Jantjies this year”.
For guys who always bang on about having good men on the team and rugby values, the Springboks have done themselves a disservice with their handling of Elton Jantjies this year
— Lloyd ?? (@Lloydbhudda) September 11, 2022
SA sports journalist Steven Pettitt couldn’t see a way out of the mess for the 32-year-old. “Hard to see a way back to the Springboks for Elton Jantjies. And off the back of a really good 2021 Where he finally looked comfortable in the set up and on the field. Big problems for the Boks at 10. Surely someone will be called up for Durban ahead of the end of year tour.”
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Hard to see a way back to the Springboks for Elton Jantjies. And off the back of a really good 2021 where he finally looked comfortable in the set up and on the field. Big problems for the Boks at 10. Surely someone will be called up for Durban ahead of the end of year tour.
— Stephen (@SteviePSport) September 11, 2022
Others saw the funny side of the story, with Mark Keohane pointing out that: “Reading the Elton Jantjies infidelity lead Rapport… my 1st thought for a bloke who hasn’t nailed a kick on the field this year… at least him nailed something…”
Reading the Elton Jantjies infidelity lead @RapportSA … my 1st thought for a bloke who hasn't nailed a kick on the field this year … at least him nailed something … #Springboks
— Mark Keohane (@mark_keohane) September 11, 2022
Another fan opined that South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber might have a case to answer if he knew about the affair: “If Nienabar knew Elton Jantjies was having an affair with Zeenat Simjee the Bok dietitian then that looks incredibly bad on him. How could this even be allowed to happen?”
If Nienabar knew Elton Jantjies was having an affair with Zeenat Simjee the Bok dietitian then that looks incredibly bad on him. How could this even be allowed to happen.
— Adrian Slabbert (@adrian_slabbert) September 11, 2022
With Handre Pollard injured, the expulsion of Jantijies from the squad has left the Boks’ in a bit of a bind in the flyhalf position, with the in-form Damian Willemse left with no current failsafe in the squad.
I think Elton made the big mistake of having an affair with a team member. That always spells trouble when found out. A fox doesn't hunt near his burrow.
Any other affair, outside the team, would have been nobody's business.
I still think he should be in- or ex-cluded based on his rugby performance, not on his sexual exploits.
She did our country a great service! Finally rid of this underperforming player. I hope he personally gets out of this mess, but I sure as hell hope he never plays for the Boks again.
No great loss,it was a good way to get rid of him
Actually nobody's business what he gets up to with other consenting adults.
Media will always find or manufacture 'scandals', and conservative establishment will always make good use of them.
They are role models to young boys out there. So yes their personal life is of concern when you a bok.
Boeta Chamberlain needs a call up young and best all around kicker at the moment. and tbh not a big lost with jantjies hasnt really been any good since that one year the lions went to the finals.
Going to carry on beating the drum for Chris Smith to be called up so the Springboks have further depth at flyhalf