REVEALED: Why Elton Jantjies retains Bok backing!

South Africa claimed a hard-fought 2-1 series win over Wales back in July, but there were still some question marks over key players in the Bok team such as Elton Jantjies, who only featured in the first half of the opening Test, producing a largely forgettable performance.

As the Rugby Championship got underway, it was clear that Jantjies was in need of some game-time in order to regain some form and confidence, but it was unclear when that opportunity would arrive.

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As it turns out, the Boks have opted to revert to a five-three forwards-to-backs split for this Saturday’s clash against the Wallabies, which has opened the door for Jantjies to make his return to the matchday 23.

It will be an all-important game for him, particularly after his display in the opening Test against Wales, which saw the flyhalf replaced at half-time after his error-strewn display.

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Back then, Nienaber suggested Jantjies’ indifferent form was due to a lack of game time, but on Monday the Bok coach said he felt they had seen enough from the experienced playmaker in training to feel he was ready for another run against the Wallabies.

“In terms of Elton’s form, like I said with Frans (Steyn), the only place where we can see them is in training, which we push to match intensity. He has been performing well in training, so I expect him to be much sharper,” Nienaber commented.

“It will be nice to see what Frans can bring to the party. We know last year, when we played New Zealand, Frans came on when we won on the Gold Coast. He had an unbelievable game. We know what he can bring and he is experienced. We are just looking forward to getting Frans back on to the park.”

EVEALED: REASON FOR BOKS STARTING DWEBA AHEAD OF MARX

BOK TEAM TO FACE AUSTRALIA IN ADELAIDE:

15 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 20 caps, 12 pts (1t, 2c, 1p)

14 – Warrick Gelant (Racing 92) – 10 caps, 15 pts (3t)

13 – Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – 30 caps, 30 pts (6t)

12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 62 caps, 35 pts (7t)

11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 29 caps, 105 pts (21t)

10 – Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 64 caps, 662 pts (7t, 90c, 144p, 5d)

9 – Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles) – 39 caps, 25 pts (5t)

8 – Duane Vermeulen (Ulster) – 62 caps, 15 pts (3t)

7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 62 caps, 25 pts (5t)

6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 67 caps, 35 pts (7t)

5 – Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 60 caps, 25 pts (5t)

4 – Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks) – 102 caps, 15 pts (3t)

3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 50 caps, 5 pts (1t)

2 – Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers) – 3 caps, 0pts

1 – Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks) – 11 caps, 0pts

Replacements:

16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 51 caps, 55 pts (11t)

17 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 63 caps, 5 pts (1t)

18 – Vincent Koch (Wasps) 36 caps, 0 pts

19 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 55 caps, 5pts (1t)

20 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 23 caps, 5 pts (1t)

21 – Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks) – 6 caps, 5 pts (1t)

22 – Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes) – 45 caps, 329 pts (2t, 65c, 62p, 1d)

23 – Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs) – 74 caps, 150 pts (11t, 7c, 24p, 3d)

EXCLUSIVE | SPRINGBOKS STAY THIRD IN WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS – BUT ONLY JUST!

Springbok record against the Wallabies in Australia:

Played 41; Won 12; Lost 27; Drawn 2; Points for: 685, Points against: 900; Tries scored 80, Tries conceded 91; Highest score 38-12 in Brisbane (2013); Biggest win 26 points in Brisbane (2013). Win % 29%. 

Milestones:

1. Handre Pollard needs one point to earn 50 Test points against Australia.
2. Joseph Dweba will play his first Test against Australia, with Jaden Hendrikse also on debut against the Wallabies if he takes the field.

Miscellaneous:

1. The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 671.
2. There are 254 caps in the backline with 417 caps amongst the forwards. On the bench there are a further 353 caps.
3. The average caps per player in the backline are 36, the forwards 52, while the players on the bench average 44.