REPORT: Jantjies checked himself in for ‘drug rehab’

Taking to social media on Friday, Jantjies opened up on the Boks’ decision to not consider him for the end-of-year tour, saying he ‘fully understands’, while the Bok flyhalf also stated that he’s focusing on his mental health to ensure he gets his ‘personal life and career back on track’.

According to Rapport newspaper, two independent sources stated that Jantjies booked himself into the Harmony clinic in Hout Bay a few weeks ago and was treated for drug addiction.

Before Friday 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.

Also according to Rapport newspaper, while staying in a guest house with Simjee in Mbombela before the Bok Test against the All Blacks in August, Jantjies offered drugs to a waiter, who later complained about the gesture.

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On Tuesday, Rassie Erasmus had confirmed that the embattled Bok flyhalf will not be considered for selection on the end-of-year tour, with the director of rugby stating that Jantjies had simply not played enough rugby of late.

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.

ALSO READ | ELTON JANTJIES OUT, ZEENAT SIMJEE RETURNS

On Friday, the 32-year-old shared a lengthy 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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During a wide-ranging press conference on Tuesday, Erasmus spoke openly to the media, and addressed the decision around Jantjies.

“It’s well documented that we mutually agreed that we would allow him to go home and handle personal matters after there was that reporting on him before an important Test, and because we didn’t know what was true or not.

“Since then he hasn’t played any rugby, so for us to select him would be tough because we just haven’t seen him play. We’d love to be able to assess him in comparison to other flyhalves, but unfortunately we couldn’t do road maps (on his progress) because we haven’t seen him play. So no he won’t be up for selection.”

With Handre Pollard still injured, Damian Willemse has now established himself 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.

With Jantjies set to miss the end-of-year tour, it would leave him with limited time to earn his place back before the fast-approaching 2023 World Cup, particularly considering this has been a year to forget for the 32-year-old on and off the field.

ALSO READ | RASSIE ERASMUS COMMENTS ON ELTON JANTJIES SAGA

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

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”.