Rassie offers clarity on Jantjies saga as dietician Simjee returns

Towards the end of the Rugby Championship, flyhalf Elton Jantjies and Springbok dietician Zeenat Simjee were both released from the Bok camp after Sunday newspaper Rapport published a report of an alleged tryst between the two.

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Despite Jantjies and Simjee being sent back to South Africa, SA Rugby president Mark Alexander subsequently stated that they still needed to accurately gather all the facts before deciding whether further action would be taken, while he also questioned the anonymous sources who disclosed the information to Rapport after the story broke.

Both Jantjies and Simjee have since issued statements refuting various elements of the story.

On Tuesday, South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus also sought to provide some context around the situation, which included allegations that Jantjies had not settled bills following a stay at a Mbombela guest lodge where the alleged tryst took place.

“Elton is a Japanese player, he’s not contracted to SA Rugby, he’s not a PONI (Player of National Interest),” said Erasmus. “If he’s not involved during a match-week, then he’s free to take the weekend off in his personal capacity. We can’t be held responsible if a guy isn’t paying his water and electricity bill. What he does in his personal capacity is his business.

“He wasn’t part of the match squad (ahead of the All Blacks game when the reported affair took place), so he broke no team protocols. The only reason we’re not selecting him is because he’s not playing any rugby currently. We can’t compare him to fellow flyhalves for now, but a fit Elton Jantjies is four years younger than Jonny Sexton and if he plays good rugby, the door will always be open for him.”

READ | RASSIE ERASMUS CONFIRMS: ELTON JANTJIES IS NOT UP FOR SELECTION

Erasmus also confirmed that team dietician Zeenat Simjee would travel with the Boks on the upcoming end-of-year tour, which will not feature Jantjies.

“Zeenat is definitely joining us. I just want to reiterate that she wasn’t sent home as part of a sanctioning. She came back to merely deal with personal reports that were written about her,” said Erasmus. 

“The alleged incidents happened when the Springboks weren’t in [match-week] camp. She went home to be closer to her family and to deal with the reports. None of those reported events happened when we were in camp.

“She wasn’t punished at all. She needed to get to her family, specifically her father and get some assistance, whether it was legal or emotional support for going through a difficult time.

“It was also a measure to give the team the best opportunity to focus for the last two weeks of the Rugby Championship campaign. That was important. There’s no ammunition not to take her on tour.”

With Handre Pollard still injured, Damian Willemse has now established as a capable back-up at 10, while Johan Goosen is also expected to head on the end-of-year tour as another flyhalf option.

CONFIRMED: POLLARD OUT, GOOSEN IN FOR BOKS

Elton Jantjies 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

Meanwhile, in a statement released by Simjee, she appealed to Rapport – who broke the story – to “retract and apologise” for the reports that were “devoid of truth”.

READ | RASSIE ERASMUS CONFIRMS: ELTON JANTJIES IS NOT UP FOR SELECTION

Read the full statement below

I am the subject of some extremely negative media reports over the last week, tarnishing me personally and degrading my dignity.

I appreciate the support of my fellow Springbok management team members who concurred with my choice to return home to work through this with the support of my family and relevant professionals.

I chose to maintain a dignified silence while the media storm was raging, as I am severely traumatised by what has transpired.

Let me unequivocally state that I am shocked at the level of sensational journalism from the newspaper that first published the article. I am devastated by the fact that a journalist and his newspaper could publish such damaging allegations on false and baseless hearsay. It is disappointing.

As a young professional, I hold my profession in high regard. In the same light, it is an honour and privilege to represent my country and be part of the Springbok Team. As a person of values, I will not bring about disrepute to myself, my family, my profession and all the many incredible people that have been kind, positive and supportive towards me throughout this ordeal.

The weekend ahead of the test week in Mbombela, I had been with my parents dealing with family bereavement. So, the allegations of me spending time with Elton Jantjies at a guesthouse is devoid of any truth.

This has cast an extremely negative aspersion and disgraceful perspective on my character to which other media houses have also added their perspective. I appeal to the original publisher to retract and apologise for the negative sentiment cast on me.

I am committed to the Springbok Team and would like to expediently get this behind me so I can continue with my professional responsibilities to the Springbok team.