Elton Jantjies ticks all the right boxes to be considered the Lions’ first choice No10, despite enduring a poor loan spell with the Stormers over the last eight months.
Jantjies will be the Lions’ flyhalf against the Southern Kings in the first leg of their promotion-relegation match in Port Elizabeth on Friday night. Coach Johan Ackermann yesterday spelled out his reasons for picking the Bok pivot ahead of Marnitz Boshoff, who has enjoyed a very good season with the Lions.
“Elton is a Springbok and he’s used to the intensity of Super Rugby,” explained Ackermann yesterday when he named his team for the all-important first match against the Kings for a place in next year’s Super Rugby competition.
“Furthermore, Elton’s played in front of big crowds and just three weeks ago he played in the PE stadium for the Stormers so he knows what to expect. That’s why he’s got the nod.
“We’re taking a chance with him but I have a lot of faith in him. I’ve spoken to him at length (about his mental state after his time with the Stormers) and I get the idea he’s in the right space and frame of mind. We’ve got to recognise his huge potential and I’ve no doubt he’s ready for the game.”
Jantjies battled to settle in the Stormers team this season and his game suffered so much that he didn’t even make the final Springbok squad for the June Tests. This, after being touted as South Africa’s next flyhalf just over a year ago.
“There was a big debate about who should play ... Elton or Marnitz, and I make no secret of that. I really wanted to reward Marnitz for his excellent form throughout the season, but there are pros and cons both ways,” said Ackermann. “The final decision was taken after much deliberation with the assistant coaches and we felt it was the way to go.”
The Lions’ other available loan players – Franco van der Merwe (Sharks) and Martin Bezuidenhout (Stormers) – have also been included in the starting team for the match.
Ackermann said having Van der Merwe back as the caller in the line-outs was especially satisfying. “He brings a lot of energy and spirit to the team and he’s got lots of experience, too. He came in and trained so well it’s as if he was never away.”
The next two matches for both the Lions and Kings will go a long way in determining the immediate futures of both franchises. Ackermann admitted there was more than just rugby results at stake. “It’s up there (with the most important matches of this union’s history),” he said.
“The two games are certainly the most important since I took over as coach towards the end of the Super Rugby campaign last year. Many peoples’ careers will change if we don’t get back into Super Rugby. This is a proud union, with a rich history, and that’s what we’re playing for over the next two weekends.”
Meanwhile, in the absence of experienced leaders Luke Watson and Andries Strauss, the Kings have named Darron Nell as their captain for Friday’s match. “Darron has done a tremendous job for us over the years in a leadership role, whenever he has captained a side he has done so successfully, and after giving the matter careful consideration we feel he is the best man to lead the side in this big game,” said Director of Rugby, Alan Solomons.
Teams for first leg:
Kings: SP Marais, Marcello Sampson, Ronnie Cooke, Shane Gates, Hadleigh Parkes, Demetri Catrakilis, Shaun Venter, Jacques Engelbrecht, Wimpies van der Walt, Cornell du Preez, David Bulbring, Darron Nell (capt), Kevin Buys, Bandise Maku, Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: Charl du Plessis, Hannes Franklin, Steven Sykes, Devin Oosthuizen, Nicholas Vergallo, George Whitehead, Waylon Murray
Lions: Ruan Combrinck, Deon van Rensburg, Stokkies Hanekom, Dylan Des Fountain, Anthony Volmink, Elton Jantjies, Michael Bondesio, Warren Whiteley, Derick Minnie, Jaco Kriel, Franco van der Merwe, Hendrik Roodt, Julian Redelinghuys, Martin Bezuidenhout, JC Janse van Rensburg (capt). Replacements: Robbie Coetzee, Ruan Dreyer, Willie Britz, Warwick Tecklenburg, Ross Cronje, Marnitz Boshoff, Chrysander Botha - The Star