Bok flyhalf Elton Jantjies. Photo: SA Rugby
Has Jantjies turned the corner as ‘hard work’ kicks in?
Springboks flyhalf Elton Jantjies continues to paint a positive picture on social media as he works towards rebuilding his career.
Bok flyhalf Elton Jantjies. Photo: SA Rugby
Last month, Jantjies said he is focusing on his mental health to ensure he gets his ‘personal life and career back on track’.
Taking to social media recently, Jantjies opened up on the Boks’ decision to not consider him for the end-of-year tour, saying he ‘fully understands’.
Earlier this month it was reported that Jantjies had drawn interest from French club Toulon as they continued to search for a flyhalf recruit. That news came soon after it was rumoured that the experienced Springbok pivot could be asked to leave his Japanese club Urayasu D-Rocks before the end of the year, believed to be as a result of the recent allegations of an extra-marital affair.
According to highly-respected French publication Midi Olympique, Jantjies is soon set to be formally announced as a new signing by Toulon.
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Jantjies has continued to post regularly to his instagram account, showing him hard at work in the gym and doing various boxing sessions, which remains another sport that he is extremely passionate about.
His social media accounts have also shown him reunited with his family, while sharing message of love just several weeks after bombshell news related to the Bok flyhalf had come to light.
Before last month, Jantjies had not spoken publicly since issuing a statement several weeks ago, in which he took ‘full responsibility’ for his actions, but did not admit to any allegations of an affair. The dramatic statement came after the experienced flyhalf and Springbok dietician Zeenat Simjee had been released from the Bok camp after reports of an alleged tryst between the two.
Below you can check out some of the latest social media images from Jantjies’ Instagram:
Recently it was also reported that Jantjies was reportedly treated for ‘drug addiction’ as part of the ‘professional help’ he has sought out.
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The 32-year-old also addressed his omission from the Springboks camp in a lengthy, but largely positive, Instagram post.
“Given the wide reporting regarding my omission from the Springbok squad and clarification from the coaching staff that I was not up for selection for the November tour, I would like to place it on record that I fully understand [and] support the decision,” he wrote.
“The fact of the matter is that I have not played rugby since the Rugby Championship and that, in the last few weeks, I have kept to my public and personal promise to seek professional help and focus on my mental health to ensure that I get my personal life and career back on track. It was the best decision I’ve ever made.
“I’ve been training throughout, and I’m in a good space mentally and physically. I have received fantastic support from a therapeutic team with whom I have been working closely to ensure that my personal welfare remains my top focus and priority, and I know it will require hard work and a huge effort to remain on this path.
“However, I’m fully committed and hope to return to the rugby field as a better man and player. I have no doubt this decision will benefit me personally, my rugby career, my family, and SA’s faithful rugby supporters. Thanks, Elton Jantjies.”
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The Bok stalwart previously released the following statement:
The Springboks dietician Zeenat Simjee was never with me at either of the two guesthouses that I stayed at. She is a good friend and nothing more. That her good name is now being dragged through the mud is a shame.
I do not want to say much about the newspaper article, except that it contains many untruths and half-truths. I will now concentrate on getting my life and career back on track and wish to do so privately, so this will be my only statement on this matter.
I am aware that newspaper articles about my recent behaviour caused a lot of disappointment, distress, and anger to many people, and I apologise unreservedly to everybody I hurt or disappointed, my teammates, the Springbok management team, and SA Rugby. I also want to apologise to the management and squad of my club in Japan, NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes.
I sadly let myself, my family, and the rugby-loving people of this country down, and I deeply regret my actions. I did not do the Springbok jersey proud. I take full responsibility for my actions, and I am serious about doing everything in my power to change my behaviour. I want to restore the confidence those closest to me once had in me and win back the trust of the public. I hope that I can rebuild those relationships that got damaged or broken.
READ: SPRINGBOKS RELEASE STATEMENT ON JANTJIES SCANDAL
Jantjies, who has played 46 Tests for the Boks, has over 110 000 followers on Instagram, with his bio reading as follows: “Sportsman of Loyalty, Respect and Honour”.
