'We need Pollard in the squad': Springbok flyhalf Jantjies backs his injured rival to make it back for the British & Irish Lions
South Africa’s Rugby World Cup winner Elton Jantjies has opened up on his move to France ahead of the upcoming British and Irish Lions series.
The flyhalf said his desire to feature in that B&I Lions series was the main reason behind his move to French strugglers Pau. The 30-year-old, who made the last of his 37 Test appearances during 2019’s Webb Ellis trophy success, last week announced he will join the Top 14 outfit on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
The B&I Lions will head to South Africa in July for an eight-match series with the final of three Tests on August 7.
“It’s a massive motivation. It comes every 12 years, it only comes once or maybe twice in a career. It’s something as a schoolboy you dream of,” he told AFP after arriving in south-west France on Saturday.
“It’s quite special. I remember watching in 2009, back in the day. It’s going to be a tough ask for us as a team. I feel we’ve got the squad to do it,” he added.
Jantjies will be competing with first-choice flyhalf Handre Pollard, who has been out since September with a serious knee injury, for a starting berth later this year.
The pair could face each other in early June during the last game of the regular French season with Pollard’s Montpellier heading to Stade du Hameau.
“We need Polly [Pollard] in the squad. I spoke to him a few days ago with me coming to France. It will be good to be in the squad with him for the British and Irish Lions,” said Jantjies, who played in two World Cup pool games for the Boks in Japan: the 57-3 victory over Namibia and 66-7 thrashing of Canada.
“Hopefully, I’ll see him over the next few weeks playing for his club and then the Springboks.
“I’m not an individual-based guy. I have to reach my own individual standards and it makes me happy. If I perform well for Pau and during the Springbok preparation the jersey is in the coaches’ hands.”
Jantjies, who plays for the Lions in his home country, will miss the franchise’s first involvement in the Pro14 with the Rainbow Cup starting this weekend.
The former Baby Boks playmaker said the move to Pau was no slight on the new tournament.
“It was something I discussed with the Springbok and Lions management and it was a good opportunity for me. Playing in the Top 14 is something I’m really looking forward to in preparation for the British and Irish Lions,” he said.
“It is to give myself a big challenge for that big tour. It’s nothing against the Rainbow Cup or anything in South Africa,” he added.
Jantjies will be forced to wait until May 8 for his Pau debut as he will undertake a week-long isolation due to the French government’s Covid-19 guidelines.
Despite the rules the president Bernard Pontneau told newspaper l’Equipe he was eager to have an exemption for Jantjies.
The three-time French champions are in the relegation play-off spot, three points below Bayonne in 12th place with five matches of the season to go.
Apart from Montpellier, Jantjies can look forward to running out against already-relegated Agen before taking on the might of Top 14 giants Racing 92 and La Rochelle.
“The situation the club is in is one of the challenges I’m really looking forward to. Hopefully, we can achieve what we want to achieve,” he said.
“There are a few adjustments. We had a year lockdown and I learnt a lot.
“I’ve got some things up my sleeve. I have some daily programmes to do. Then next week hopefully hit the ground running.”
-Rugby365/AFP
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments