Elton Jantjies is again within the Springbok squad after initially being ignored when the group for the Rugby Championship was named final Saturday.
Injuries to key No 10s Handre Pollard and Damian Willemse have left the Boks with only one match flyhalf within the squad, specifically Manie Libbok.
The 32-year-old Jantjies brings a wealth of expertise to the group, having performed in 46 Tests for the Boks, together with on the 2019 World Cup.
Pollard out, Willemse tough-and-go
“Damian has a knee injury and will be touch-and-go for the first Test of the season next month while Handre is definitely out,” stated Jacques Nienaber, Springbok coach.
“It means Manie is our solely match flyhalf as of right now and we will’t go right into a Test season with none cowl. We weighed up the choices out there domestically and abroad – having tracked all of them all through the season simply accomplished – and Elton is the following flyhalf in line.
“He knows our thinking and systems inside out and can slot in easily. We kick off against Australia in three weeks and should Damian Willemse not return to full fitness by then Elton would be ready to play.”
Jantjies made his Test debut towards Australia in Pretoria in 2012 and has been a fixture in Springbok squads for the previous six years. He is at present in France and can be part of the squad in Pretoria on Sunday.
Relationship with group dietician
The former Lions man hit the headlines final 12 months after studies emerged of him being concerned in a relationship with Springbok group dietician Zeenat Simjee. This relationship was denied by Simjee.
Jantjies and his spouse allegedly grew to become estranged following the revelations.
The Springboks’ first Test of the 12 months is towards Australia at Loftus Versfeld on 8 July.
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