Anti-doping agency shuts down rumours of Elton Jantjies’ return
SAIDS would not be drawn to elaborate on Elton Jantjies bizarre claims of a return insisting nothing has changed and he remains banned.
The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) have rubbished claims that Elton Jantjies will soon make a return to rugby.
The source of those rumours was Jantjies himself, who claimed that he would be back in the game sooner than people think.
Jantjies also claimed to have evidence against anti-doping agencies.
After testing positive for the prohibited drug clenbuterol in August 2023, Jantjies was suspended from SAIDS for four years. However, in January of this year, he did not exercise his right to have his case heard before an Independent Doping Hearing Panel.
ELTON JANTJIES POSTS BIZARRE SOCIAL MEDIA RANT
The 33-year-old, who was a member of the Springbok team that won the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, claimed to have facts and proof against “a lot of organisations” that examined him and upheld his innocence in a strange video that he uploaded to his Instagram account on Sunday.
“A lot of people have a lot of questions in terms of my rugby career but just know that I will be back sooner than what you guys think,” said Jantjies.
“Through all the research, through all the facts, through all the evidence and people involved, a lot of organisations involved in me being tested [positive] for something that I’ve never used.
“I’ll elaborate a bit more on me missing my second World Cup, but I’m not negative about it because, for me, I’m preparing myself for much more – much bigger.
“Obviously, I’ve got a few things that I need to sort out, but I’m very positive, and I truly believe these couple of months are a blessing in disguise.
“There are a few things I need to sort out, but I’m very positive and I strongly believe that the last few months have been a blessing in disguise,” he added in his video.
“Because yes, I want to play rugby and do what I love, but it has created opportunities for me and provided answers in my personal life and rugby career.
NO CHANGE ACCORDING TO SAIDS
SAIDS’ chief executive Khalid Galant shut down Jantjies’ claims and affirmed that nothing has changed regarding the former Springbok star’s case.
Galant insists that there is no pending appeal or any other developments in the Jantjies case.
As faras SAIDS are concerned, Jantjies must serve out his four-year ban as it was handed down.
“Whatever is spread on social media will stay there. The matter has been settled,”
Galant told Netwerk24.
Jantjies hasn’t played for the Springboks since 2022.
He was part of a number of other scandals that rocked South African rugby. Including the Zeenat Vallie affair and an incident on a airplane.