Why Boks can be confident of moving on from Elton Jantjies

The rugby world and gossip pages are still reeling from the news that Springboks flyhalf Elton Jantjies and team dietician Zeenat Simjee have been sent home from Argentina following reports of an affair.

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This latest shocking story comes just months after Jantjies was detained at OR Tambo International Airport for a widely-publicised incident on board a flight back to South Africa.

At the time, the Springboks stated that Jantjies had to be viewed as “innocent until proven guilty”, but it was never a good look as he remained part of the squad.

The fact of the matter is that Jantjies has also continued to struggle purely from a rugby perspective, with the flyhalf having endured a nightmare performance in the season-opener against Wales as he returned from injury, while he featured off the bench in the recent losing cause against Australia.

Jantjies is now 32-years-old, and his position as the ‘back-up flyhalf’ to Handre Pollard has effectively already been conceded to Damian Willemse, while Johan Goosen will soon be back in selection contention.

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Indeed, as the Springboks assess their options at flyhalf at a time when the likes of Willemse and even Willie le Roux have been providing capable back-up to Handre Pollard, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Goosen has largely slipped under the radar.

The Boks do have options beyond Elton Jantjies

In a 43-man player squad, it’s worth remembering that the Bulls veteran was included as one of just three specialist flyhalves, and he is quietly heading towards the end of his rehabilitation from a serious injury.

Goosen has had a career of remarkable highs and lows (including a premature retirement before making a U-turn on that decision), and there is a very good reason he has been brought back by the Boks.

The versatile Bulls star played the last of his 13 Tests all the way back in 2016, but he is clearly a player still in the picture when the Boks mapped out their planning towards the 2023 World Cup.

In many ways, Goosen is a hybrid of what Pollard and Jantjies offer, with the 29-year-old possessing silky skills and distribution, while also boasting enough physicality and strength to quite happily take the ball flat and challenge defences with his gain line running. He is solid on defence and has a massive kicking game.

Make no mistake, if he was fit, Goosen would have already featured in some Tests this year. Nevertheless, his opportunity to stake a claim for regular selection will surely come later this year.

So, when one considers that the latest scandal could spell the end of Jantjies’ Test career for the foreseeable, the Bok coaches know that they have more options at flyhalf than many might see at face value, and that’s without even talking about young Jordan Hendrikse who could be set for a big season with the Lions in the URC.

Besides Willemse proving he is more than capable of stepping up to offer reliable back-up, there is also every chance Goosen could be a secret weapon that the Boks know they have up their sleeve.

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