Elton Jantjies: All my problems are behind me!

This week, Jantjies has joined up with his new French club as he looks to revive his faltering career, with the ProD2 side having recently announced that they had signed the Springbok flyhalf until 2024, offering him a much-needed career lifeline.

Jantjies had been plying his trade in Japan for Urayasu D-Rocks, but the club was allegedly set to terminate his contract in December amidst the cheating scandal that has rocked the rugby fraternity.

ALSO READ | SPRINGBOK WOMEN’S COACH REPORTEDLY SHOWN THE DOOR

The statement came after the experienced flyhalf and team dietician Zeenat Simjee had been released from the Bok camp after reports of an alleged tryst between the two, which Jantjies recently admitted to.

It’s led to one of the most dramatic stories in South African sports history, while it increasingly appears that Jantjies’ Springboks career is indefinitely on hold.

Speaking upon his arrival at Agen, Jantjies was asked in an interview with RugbyRama whether he viewed this stint in France as his last chance to push for participation at the 2023 World Cup.

“It’s a goal, but my main focus is to achieve big goals with Agen,” he commented. “I want to play good rugby, and make sure I make a difference for the team. This is the number one objective before playing with the Springboks. If I perform well, maybe I will have a chance with the national team, who knows…”

Meanwhile, when asked whether leaving South Africa to play in France was based on the circumstances of his difficult past few months, he responded emphatically.

“All my problems are behind me today!” he stated, while confirming he would begin training with his new team on Tuesday.

ALSO READ | ELTON JANTJIES ARRIVES IN FRANCE, CAREER AT A CROSSROAD

Les premiers pas d’Elton Jantjies à Armandie ! 💙🏟 pic.twitter.com/Bgz56SiShs

— Agen Rugby – SUA LG (@agen_rugby) December 12, 2022

According to a recent article in City Press, the latest twist in the struggles of Jantjies relates to his disagreement with agent James Adams, who is said to have sued the Springboks flyhalf for breach of contract due to unpaid money.

The report states that Jantjies accepted a plea agreement in court documents, and paid R300 000 to Adams’ agency, In Touch Sports. However, he allegedly owed a total of R800 000.

Jantjies has now dramatically claimed that so-called gang members were sent to his home to collect the rest of the money. A City Press source states that the ‘debt collectors’ got another R150 000 from Jantjies, who has reportedly filed a complaint with World Rugby over the dispute with his former agent.

ALSO READ | SPRINGBOK EVAN ROOS IN HEALTH SCARE AT AIRPORT

Meanwhile, in a wide-ranging interview on the latest edition of Rugby Pass’ ‘Offload Podcast’, Jantjies recently said he spent a fortnight at the Harmony ‘rehab clinic’ in Cape Town to treat insomnia and take a “mental break” from rugby and intense media scrutiny.

He also revealed that it was Rassie Erasmus who played a key role in helping him check into the clinic.

“For me, personally, it (the main priority) is just to focus on my family, I have got a break and this is the reason why I am here, and then afterwards I will probably get back to rugby and that is the main two things I will stick with.

“I was in a facility in Cape Town just for like two weeks. I had a chat with Rassie and he told me he has got a spot where I can just switch off mentally and then afterwards I can get a break with my family.

“My main thing was just to switch off from a psychological point of view, especially with all the media going on. And all the speculation, they keep on speculating until they probably want me to speak up but I don’t get involved in media stuff.”

Jantjies added that the support of Erasmus meant a lot to him.

“Yeah, a big help, massive help. He took me there (to the clinic) and we chatted and I said, ‘Coach, I think it is a great idea. Let’s do it’. From his perspective whatever he tells me I’ll do it 99.9 percent.

“Hopefully, a lot of the boys can say the same things. He is a good friend for me and a good coach as well, he is very honest with me. I take his opinions in high regard.”

ALSO READ | ANOTHER BOMBSHELL DEVELOPMENT IN JANTJIES-SIMJEE SAGA

JANTJIES HAS RECENTLY SPENT TIME WITH HIS FAMILY IN CYPRUS

In a recent interview with News24, Jantjies admitted to the affair with Simjee, opening up about the pain caused and how he is working towards repairing the damage done. The article also states that he made the confession to his wife, Iva, who is also quoted in the article and states that they are unlikely to be romantically involved ever again.

Jantjies also said he had completely cut communication with Simjee, and reportedly added that he was “amazed” she was back in the Bok camp.

“At the end of the day what happened, happened. I am not proud of it, but I am learning to deal with it and start afresh. My family is my life and right now I am working on getting my rugby career back on track. This has honestly been one of the worst experiences of my life.”

Although he previously denied the affair in a statement, Jantjies said this was not written by him and that he regretted placing his trust on others to do “damage control” on his behalf.

The Springbok stalwart 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.

ALSO READ | RASSIE EXCITED BY SPRINGBOKS’ DEPTH AHEAD OF RWC 2023