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Springboks fly-half Elton Jantjies set for Top 14 switch - report
By Liam Heagney
Elton Jantjies is set to be handed a timely career boost, with media reports in France stating that the out-of-favour Springboks fly-half is on the verge of joining Toulon in the Top 14. The 32-year-old headed back to Japan after he was sent home by South Africa from Argentina following media allegations that he was having an extra-marital affair with a member of the national team’s backroom staff.
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It has now been reported that his stay in the Far East is set to reach a quick conclusion and a switch to France – where he previously played with Pau – is on the cards as Toulon are looking for a backup to Ihaia West, the Champions Cup-winning No10 recruited in the off-season from La Rochelle.
Midi Olympique, the French rugby newspaper, reported: “This week should allow the RCT to finalise the arrival of the South African world champion… It’s just a matter of days and details. Elton Jantjies will, barring last-minute setbacks, join Toulon as an additional player.
“The South African opener, ousted from the Springboks for an affair in September, will be officially dismissed by his Japanese franchise, Urayasu D-Rocks, for the same reason. In the process, he should finalise his commitment to the RCT with immediate effect. The Var club had been looking for an out-half for several months to assist Ihaia West.
“Jantjies arrival is made possible by the early departure of Julien Blanc to Castres, who freed up a place in the red and black workforce. Jantjies’ commitment is expected to run until the end of the season.”
It was September 11 – shortly after the Springboks arrived in Buenos Aires – when Jantjies was cut loose by his Test team squad. A media statement at the time read: “The Springboks management are aware of reports regarding fly-half Elton Jantjies and team dietician Zeenat Simjee between the training camp in Sabie and the Test match against New Zealand in Mbombela earlier this year.
“No team protocols were breached, but the individuals are returning to South Africa to attend to these personal reports and to eliminate any distractions to the team’s preparations for the Test against Argentina.”
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