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Banned Springbok Elton Jantjies releases prickly statement

By Rugby365
Springboks player Elton Jantjies signs a rugby ball for a fan after the South African Rugby team's arrival at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on November 5, 2019. (Photo by Guillem Sartorio / AFP) (Photo by GUILLEM SARTORIO/AFP via Getty Images)

Elton Jantjies has vowed to return to the rugby field in the future. Last year the Springbok tested positive for Clenbuterol. Traces of the substance were found in a sample taken from him on June 20 – while he was a member of the Bok training squad.

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The presence of the prohibited substance – or its metabolites or makers – resulted in the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) slapping a four-year ban on the 2019 World Cup winner, who was capped 46 times.

The ban was confirmed by SAIDS in January this year after Jantjies did not exercise his right to have his case heard before an Independent Doping Hearing Panel.

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Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber reveals Elton Jantjies’ spot in the flyhalf pecking order

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Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber reveals Elton Jantjies’ spot in the flyhalf pecking order

Over the weekend, the 33-year-old posted a video on social media slamming certain “organisations” before revealing his goal of returning to the game.

“A lot of people have a lot of questions in terms of my rugby career, but just know that I will be back sooner than you think,” said Jantjies.

“Through all the research, through all the facts, and all the evidence, a lot of organisations have been involved in terms of me being tested for something that I have never used.

Springboks
Elton Jantjies of the Springboks signs autographs and takes a selfie with the fans after the game during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Adelaide Oval on August 27, 2022 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
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“I will elaborate more in terms of me missing my second World Cup, but I am not negative about it because I am preparing myself for much more, something much bigger.

“I’m focussing on the next cycle, but I’ve got a few things that I need to sort out, but I am very positive.

“I truly believe that these last few months are a blessing in disguise. Yes, I want to play rugby and I want to do what I love, but it has created other opportunities for me.

“It has created a lot of answers for me in my personal life and my rugby career.

“There were a lot of people that I actually looked up to, but they disappointed me badly. People that I believed in.

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“It’s a big eye opener, so when I get back to the rugby field there is going to be a different version of Elton.

“I just want to thank all my family members who are supporting me. There are a lot of fans who support me and just believe that I will be back on the park sooner than you think.

“I’ve got all the right answers, I’ve got all the facts and I’ve got all the evidence against a lot of organisations that’s not doing it the right way.”

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Jon 18 hours ago
Why Sam Cane's path to retirement is perfect for him and the All Blacks

> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.

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