Elton Jantjies: Tribute to a pivot who relishes hard knocks

In his eighth year of senior rugby, Elton Jantjies is still being handed reality checks regularly.

2018’s Super Rugby campaign is a case in point.

The Lions flyhalf hasn’t quite been the force of the past three years, a period where he established himself as South Africa’s leading pivot in the tournament.

Last season even raised hopes of him realising his potential at international level too.

For his critics, this year’s lukewarm showings is confirmation of his continued inconsistency.

But then there are reminders like Saturday’s meeting with the Brumbies at Ellis Park that illustrate Jantjies’ staying power.

It will be his 100th Super Rugby appearance.

“The thing that I really love about Elton is that he can take the knocks and then come back stronger,” said Lions coach Swys de Bruin.

“There are a lot of players that have come and gone during the time Elton’s made his mark. He really is a general. I have a lot of respect for him.”

Perhaps the biggest feather in Jantjies’ cap is that even at 27, he’s still more than willing to continue learning about the game.

“Elton is very coachable. That inspires the younger players around him,” said De Bruin.

“If I tell Elton I want him to take a ball flat for that reason, he’ll do it. That’s wonderful. It’s really a big thing to have played a 100 games and still be willing to be coached.

“Many players lose that ability and that’s what makes Elton special.”

Through all the hard knocks, Jantjies has developed a calmness about the expectations for him.

He looks set to lose his Bok No 10 jersey to Handre Pollard for the series against England, making people wonder whether he’s fighting hard enough.

Yet Jantjies’ will not be hassled.

“I’ve got my own set of standards and goals and things I want to get out of training and playing matches.

“I put my team first and the Lions come first for me every single weekend, so if I perform for the Lions then we’ll see if they want to pick me for the Springboks as well. That is obviously a goal of mine,” he said.

Jantjies is also typically measured over his 100th cap.

“It’s obviously a massive milestone and something that I’ve always wanted to achieve one day,” he said.

“I’m older now. I’ve had a lot of learnings as well along the way and the time has gone by so fast, but it’s been a good run.”

Lions: Andries Coetzee, Sylvian Mahuza, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Madosh Tambwe, Elton Jantjies, Nic Groom, Hacjivah Dayimani, Franco Mostert (c), Kwagga Smith, Marvin Orie, Lourens Erasmus, Ruan Dreyer, Robbie Coetzee, Dylan Smith. Bench: Corne Fourie, Jacques van Rooyen, Johannes Jonker, Len Massyn, Marnus Schoeman, Ross Cronje, Shaun Reynolds, Ruan Combrinck.

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