On Tuesday, Rassie Erasmus confirmed that the embattled Bok flyhalf won’t be thought-about for choice on the end-of-year tour, with the director of rugby stating that Jantjies had merely not performed sufficient rugby of late.
Earlier this month it was reported that Jantjies had drawn curiosity from French membership Toulon as they continued to seek for a flyhalf recruit. That information got here quickly after it was rumoured that the skilled Springbok pivot could possibly be requested to go away his Japanese membership Urayasu D-Rocks earlier than the top of the 12 months, believed to be on account of the latest allegations of an extra-marital affair.
According to highly-respected French publication Midi Olympique, Jantjies is quickly set to be formally introduced as a brand new signing by Toulon.
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Jantjies has not spoken publicly since issuing a press release a number of weeks in the past, by which he took ‘full responsibility’ for his actions, however didn’t admit to any allegations of an affair. The dramatic assertion got here after the skilled flyhalf and Springbok dietician Zeenat Simjee had been launched from the Bok camp after stories of an alleged tryst between the 2.
The 32-year-old has now addressed his omission in a prolonged Instagram put up on Friday.
“Given the wide reporting regarding my omission from the Springbok squad and clarification from the coaching staff that I was not up for selection for the November tour, I would like to place it on record that I fully understand [and] support the decision,” he wrote.
“The fact of the matter is that I have not played rugby since the Castle Lager Rugby Championship and that, in the last few weeks, I have kept to my public and personal promise to seek professional help and focus on my mental health to ensure that I get my personal life and career back on track. It was the best decision I’ve ever made.
“I’ve been training throughout, and I’m in a good space mentally and physically. I have received fantastic support from a therapeutic team with whom I have been working closely to ensure that my personal welfare remains my top focus and priority, and I know it will require hard work and a huge effort to remain on this path.
“However, I’m fully committed and hope to return to the rugby field as a better man and player. I have no doubt this decision will benefit me personally, my rugby career, my family, and SA’s faithful rugby supporters. Thanks, Elton Jantjies.”
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During a wide-ranging press convention on Tuesday, Erasmus spoke brazenly to the media, and addressed the choice round Jantjies.
“It’s well documented that we mutually agreed that we would allow him to go home and handle personal matters after there was that reporting on him before an important Test, and because we didn’t know what was true or not.
“Since then he hasn’t played any rugby, so for us to select him would be tough because we just haven’t seen him play. We’d love to be able to assess him in comparison to other flyhalves, but unfortunately we couldn’t do road maps (on his progress) because we haven’t seen him play. So no he won’t be up for selection.”
With Handre Pollard nonetheless injured, Damian Willemse has now established himself as a succesful back-up at 10, whereas Johan Goosen can also be anticipated to move on the end-of-year tour as one other flyhalf choice.
With Jantjies set to overlook the end-of-year tour, it might go away him with restricted time to earn his place again earlier than the fast-approaching 2023 World Cup, significantly contemplating this has been a 12 months to neglect for the 32-year-old on and off the sector.
ALSO READ | RASSIE ERASMUS COMMENTS ON ELTON JANTJIES SAGA
Elton Jantjies beforehand launched the next assertion:
The Springboks dietician Zeenat Simjee was by no means with me at both of the 2 guesthouses that I stayed at. She is an efficient buddy and nothing extra. That her good identify is now being dragged by means of the mud is a disgrace.
I don’t need to say a lot in regards to the newspaper article, besides that it comprises many untruths and half-truths. I’ll now think about getting my life and profession again on observe and need to take action privately, so this can be my solely assertion on this matter.
I’m conscious that newspaper articles about my latest behaviour brought on quite a lot of disappointment, misery, and anger to many individuals, and I apologise unreservedly to all people I damage or upset, my teammates, the Springbok administration staff, and SA Rugby. I additionally need to apologise to the administration and squad of my membership in Japan, NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes.
I sadly let myself, my household, and the rugby-loving folks of this nation down, and I deeply remorse my actions. I didn’t do the Springbok jersey proud. I take full accountability for my actions, and I’m critical about doing every little thing in my energy to alter my behaviour. I need to restore the boldness these closest to me as soon as had in me and win again the belief of the general public. I hope that I can rebuild these relationships that obtained broken or damaged.
READ: SPRINGBOKS RELEASE STATEMENT ON JANTJIES SCANDAL
Jantjies, who has performed 46 Tests for the Boks, has over 110 000 followers on Instagram, along with his bio studying as follows: “Sportsman of Loyalty, Respect and Honour”.
