What next for Elton Jantjies? Springboks coach comments

The last 18 months have not reflected kindly on the career of Elton Jantjies, with off-field scandals, injuries, club changes and a lack of form all contributing to the veteran flyhalf falling down the Springbok pecking order.

Initially, he was left out of the wider Springbok training group for the Rugby Championship, before an injury to Handre Pollard provided him with a lifeline of sorts.

Although Jantjies has returned to the national setup, he has yet to feature in the first two Tests of the year, and the coaches have been clear that he is the fourth-choice pivot behind Pollard, Manie Libbok and Damian Willemse.

ALSO READ: Unpopular opinion: Springboks’ latest loss was also a WIN

ELTON JANTJIES HAS FALLEN OUT OF FAVOUR

With only three flyhalves likely to go to the World Cup, only injury could really see Jantjies grab a ticket to France, and this week coach Jacques Nienaber provided an update on the way things are panning out.

“We always said that Elton was our fourth choice flyhalf. He can become No 3, if Handre doesn’t make it,” Nienaber said.

“The key thing is [Damian and Manie] will get the majority of game-time but Elton also needs it. He hasn’t played for a long time. We have to try and balance it as much as we can over the next couple of games. I don’t think there are a lot of countries with four flyhalves available.”

When will Pollard and Kolisi be back for Springboks?

As it is, Pollard will be given all the time needed to earn World Cup selection, with the final Springboks squad set to be announced on Tuesday, 8 August at a special event taking place from 2-4pm.

“If you think of Siya and Handré, I would say that they have proved themselves in the past, so I think that would count in their favour a little bit,” Nienaber stated.

ALSO READ: Springboks: Highlights & lowlights at the start of 2023 Test season

ALSO READ: Can the Springboks still win the Rugby Championship?