SA Rugby issue 45-word statement on Elton Jantjies revelation

SA Rugby have released a short statement following the fresh allegations around troubled flyhalf Elton Jantjies.

Earlier today it was revealed that Jantjies is under investigation following a failed Test for a banned substance, with the star claiming through a lawyer that he is innocent of the charges.

“It with no small amount of shock and sadness that I have to inform you that I received notification earlier this month, from the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport, that a urine sample that I had provided to them in June 2023, returned a positive test for a banned substance, Clenbuterol,” Jantjies said in a statement issued on Saturday. “I have instructed legal representation to assist me in determining the source of the prohibited substance and I have instructed them to ask for my B Sample to be tested and to launch an inquiry into the possible causes for the positive test. I will do everything in my power to prove my innocence.”

Now SA Rugby have had their say.

A statement from the union reads: “SA Rugby has noted the statement issued on behalf of Elton Jantjies and confirms it was advised of the adverse finding. A regulated process is now in train which we are bound to respect and allow to run its course without further comment or speculation.”

Following injuries to other Springbok flyhalves, Jantjies was added to the Rugby Championship training squad in June as backup at No.10. Yet, he was ultimately excluded from the final Rugby Championship and the subsequent World Cup selection, with no clear reasons given for his absence until this point, even when Handre Pollard failed to recover from his ongoing issues.

News of Jantjies’ failed comes as former Wales halfback Rhys Webb faces similar charges in France. Webb is currently suspended by Biarritz after he allegedly failed a drug test for human growth hormone.