Jantjies answers Bok SOS
BREAKING NEWS: A spate of injuries among Springbok flyhalves has led to the call-up to the Rugby Championship training squad of cover at No.10.
The France-based 46-Test veteran Elton Jantjies has answered the Bok SOS.
The 32-year-old – who played his last Test against Australia in August last year – has been added as injury cover for Handre Pollard and Damian Willemse, who are both currently in rehabilitation.
The only fit No.10 in the training squad is Manie Libbok.
(Article continues below …)
“Damian [Willemse] has a knee injury and will be touch-and-go for the first Test of the season [against Australia in Pretoria] next month, while Handre [Pollard] is definitely out,” said Jacques Nienaber, Springbok coach.
“It means Manie is our only fit flyhalf and we can’t go into a Test season without any cover.
“We weighed up the options available locally and overseas – having tracked all of them throughout the season just completed – and Elton [Jantjies] is the next flyhalf in line.
“He knows our thinking and systems inside out and can slot in easily.
“We kick off against Australia in three weeks and should Damian Willemse not return to full fitness by then Elton would be ready to play.”
Jantjies made his Test debut against Australia in Pretoria in 2012 and has been a fixture in Springbok squads for the past six years.
He is currently in France and will join the squad in Pretoria on Sunday.
The Springboks’ first Test of the year is against Australia at Loftus Versfeld on July 8.
