Elton Jantjies warns Boks to be on high alert for Pumas
Recalled flyhalf Elton Jantjies warned his South African teammates to get their feet back on the ground “as soon as possible”, as they shift their focus from the British and Irish Lions to Argentina.
The Springboks came back from a first-Test loss (17-22) to demolish the B&I Lions 27-9 in the second international and then claimed the series with a nail-biting 19-16 win in an intense third Test.
They have very little time to celebrate the enormity of the victory and Jantjies said they need to refocus and get ready for opponents that are always ‘high on emotion’.
The Boks start the defence of their Rugby Championship crown – last contested before the World Cup in 2019 – when they face Argentina in back-to-back Test in Port Elizabeth the next two Saturdays.
Jantjies, 31, was recalled after coming off the bench in the first Test loss against the B&I Lions at the Cape Town Stadium – watching from the stands in the second and third Tests.
Capped 39 times, Jantjies spoke of the pride in playing for the Boks, adding that “consistency” is the key for his longevity.
“When you play you have a certain role and when you don’t play you have a different role,” he said of his ability to remain motivated – even when he does not make the cut for the matchday 23.
However, he will be one of the key drivers against Argentina in the next two weeks.
Jantjies said their performances in 2020 – two draws against Australia and a win against New Zealand – will give Los Pumas confidence.
“They always bring motion into the game,” the veteran No.10 said, adding: “That is what Argentineans are like.
“The last time we played them – in 2019, before the World Cup – it required an 80-minute performance,” he said of South Africa’s 24-18 win over Argentina at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria.
“They will look at that game and take the positives from that.
“We, as a team, have also grown [improved].
“We have just completed a series against the British and Irish Lions and we have to refocus.
“These first two games [against Los Pumas in PE] is important for us in the Rugby Championship.”
Jantjies played down the significance of being in the background, while Handre Pollard gets the starting role in the main fixtures – just as it was at the 2019 World Cup.
In fact, Jantjies has been generously praised by the Bok management for his willingness to work hard and ‘assist’ the team, even when he is not in the matchday squad.
“I’ve had this question for the last few years,” Jantjies said of playing a secondary role in the squad.
“Like I always say, for me, it’s all about the team, especially at this stage in my career.
“I’ve said it many times, when you’re young, you’re very [individualistic].
“But as soon as you get more experience and become a little older, you start becoming more focused towards the team.”
He added that he is now, at this late stage in his career, the kind of person that wants to get to know the other players better, know about their personal lives and what they like or don’t.
“Whenever you get on the park, you have something in common with those players,” Jantjies said, adding that he now understands how the guys play and what they love about the game.
“For example, I know what Sbu [starting right wing Sibusiso Nkosi] likes and on Saturday.
“I want to go out there and provide that for him.
“And I want to take that responsibility to make sure the team get the right results.”
Jantjies will be heading to Japan again after he completes his Springbok commitments, signing a deal to play for the Red Hurricanes in the Top League – rejoining his former Lions boss Johan Ackermann, who became head coach of the club in 2020.
He spent fours playing for the Shining Arcs in Japan during South Africa’s off-season between 2014 and 2018 and earlier this year he had a loan spell with French club Pau.
However, he is determined to make the best of his latest opportunity – when he partners Cobus Reinach in one of several changes to the Springbok starting lineup that also features Damian Willemse, Aphelele Fassi and Frans Steyn.
“It’s always special every single time you get the opportunity to wear the green and gold,” Jantjies said, adding: “It’s an opportunity you should never take for granted.
“You try and stay as consistent as possible through your performances on and off the field to be able to be in this environment.”
– Jan de Koning, Rugby365
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments