Jantjies 'forgiven' for transgressions

NEWS: Veteran Springbok Elton Jantjies is available to be selected for the Lions again.

Rudolf Straeuli, the @Lions Rugby Company CEO, confirmed to @rugby365com that they had a ‘clear the air’ meeting with the player on Monday.

“He is training with the team and is available for selection,” Straeuli said.

Jantjies missed the impressive 41-22 Round 16 win over the Stormers at Ellis Park this past weekend, following an internal disciplinary process.

The CEO added that the disciplinary process, conducted in accordance with the collective agreement they have with the Player Union, My Players, was completed before the match this past weekend.

“It was an internal process and we won’t reveal any details about the matter,” he told @rugby365com.

Jantjies was ‘stood down’ following a “breach of protocol”.

It has been reported that there was a spat between Jantjies and some of his Lions teammates.

Although Straeuli was not willing to go into any details, weekend media reports suggested the 28-year-old, 32-times capped Bok flyhalf has already apologised to his teammates.

Straeuli said it is Lions coach Swys de Bruin’s prerogative whether he wants to select him for the Lions Super Rugby team’s Round 17 encounter with the Hurricanes.

He could also decide to let him play for the Golden Lions XV in the domestic Challenge Cup competition or leave him on the sidelines for another week.

Shaun Reynolds did an admirable job as a stand-in against the Stormers and is a long-term prospect.

De Bruin will name his team – to face the Hurricanes – on Thursday.

Jantjies have not signed a new contract with the Lions and his current agreement will expire at the end of 2019.

By Jan de Koning
@king365ed
@rugby365com

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