Elton Jantjies capped of an impressive 2010 with a call-up to the Springbok squad, so why does the 2011 version seem so out of his depth?
Popular opinion would suggest that the Lions lost two matches they should have won because of kicks Elton Jantjies missed, and although I will not contest his failures in this area the assessment would be short-sighted. There are simply too many dynamics involved with rugby as a team sport to highlight just one aspect as the sole reason for defeat or losses.
What we can ask, is why a player that averaged 80% in the Currie Cup of 2010 with his kicks at goal, only manages 40% in the two Super rugby games played so far?
Kicking is about feeling good about yourself. You need to have confidence, you need to have rhythm and you need to have timing, and when all of that comes together things just work.
Jantjies proved in 2010 that he can kick, so it is not a question whether he is capable or not, it is more of a question of what has changed from last year to now.
The most obvious difference I can highlight is that he managed an 80% record in Currie Cup rugby, this is Super rugby, and it is a completely different kettle of fish. It could also then tell us that the main reason may be confidence, and that the pressures are very different from the arena where he achieved success to where he finds himself now.
And when you lose confidence or struggle under pressure as a kicker, you can easily lose rhythm and timing with it.
In isolation the Jantjies situation is not really that interesting, the Lions can easily call upon Burton Francis or Andre Pretorius to step in with Jantjies taking a more backseat role to regain his confidence. But what is interesting is that another youngster, who joined him on the end of the year tour with the Springboks also coming off a magical 2010 season, is coming on in leaps and bounds and is doing more than just making the step up.
I am of course referring to young Pat Lambie, who has been given the Sharks number 10 jersey for the first couple of matches in Super rugby.
Although there was not much to write home about in the Cheetahs fixture played in awful conditions, young Lambie certainly did not disgrace himself, but it was against the Blues, one of New Zealand’s top franchises that Lambie gave us a glimpse of the aptitude he has for the big stage.
Not only did he average over 85% with his kicks at goal against the Blues (83% over two matches), but he also attacked the line brilliantly (scored one try), varied his play well, and defended like a Trojan.
Personally, his defense impressed me the most (made 7 tackles, did not miss one), when while watching the game I, could not help but think that I am seeing a young, turn-of-the-century Jonny Wilkinson at play.
So as much as I am not writing Elton Jantjies off, believing he is an immensely talented player that needs a bit more guidance and management, I have no doubt that Lambie, for the time being at least, has shown that he is the future at flyhalf for South Africa.
Both Mitchell and Plumtree were not in favour of sending Elton and Patrick on the end of the year tour.
They understand these players better than anyone else and are world class coaches who know how to handle young players in the best interests of player development.
However there is one assett that all truly great players have that cannot be coached and is inbred and that is temperament.
I don’t know about Elton but I do know Patrick and I can tell you that his greatest assett is his temperament.
Perhaps Elton is feeling the pressure, this will be his second season against the SA Franchises.
They know how he plays now, and perhaps with the opposition having been able to read him better, his confidence has taken a blow.
Am rather happy with Lambie’s progress.
I’m not too concerned about Jantjies… he’s provided zip in the Lions backline passing and has done his job on attack and defence.
Jantjies’s kicking to posts will have to improve and drastically so, but that is a trait that can be taught, with a proper kicking coach.
Lambie’s play is similar, he’s been rather fortunate with a few relatively easy shots at goal though but if there is one player between Lambie and Jantjies who really needs a good look at his own kicking technique it is Lambie. Have you guys also noticed last year and this year how much the ball swings in the trajectory when Lambie kicks to posts?
To me, Lambie has the confidence but not the technique, whereas Jantjies has the technique but not the kicking confidence at present.
Sorry GBS did not know we had a new publishing standard. Will remember for future with the pics.
@ grootblousmile: I think your comment is spot on!
@ tight head: I think Lambie handles the pressure better than Jantjies at the moment and I think his temperament is his biggest asset.
Lambie also seems to have a lot of time on the ball and all the great 10’s in the world seem to have time and rarely seem rushed.
4@ Morné:
Hehehe,
Not to worry… I just think that putting a THUMBNAIL next to Articles make it a bit more colourful. See, I’m also looking at RW and I’ve taken the queue there… hahaha
Actually, it would be nice if we can make it PUBLISHING STANDARD here.
Gooi Mieliesssss Brother, your contributions here is always welcomed.
@ grootblousmile:
Yeah I like it too!
Just adds that bit of colour to a story.
5@ Pokkel:
Thanks…
I also feels that it is premature putting either Lambie or Jantjies on a pedestal… a bit deeper into the season we should see how Peter Grant goes for the Stormers and Morné Steyn’s general play at the Bulls should improve to match his solid boot to posts.
7@ Morné:
Tell me another thing, I’ve tweaked the Mobile Site of R-T, can you now access it better from your phone(s)
@ grootblousmile:
Oh yes wanted to tell you a couple of weeks ago, works perfectly now which means I can access when on the road now!
On Jantjies, TH as usual shares my view, but Jantjies will get there.
My only worry now is that a team cannot afford a kicker that does not average less than 80%. His general play is great, as is Lambie’s, and if Lambie shared similar kicking stats I would have said the same about him.
However please note my reference to both, and possibly Gary from the Stormers is not for now, but with the view on 2012 and onwards.
How great is it that we have two, perhaps 3 brilliantly talented flyhalfs in SA when a year or so ago, we could not buy one…
10@ Morné:
Great!
Fark, we need to stay with the times on the blogs from a technical point of view….
Watch your mail a bit, going to send you a short mail quickly…
@ grootblousmile:
Cool.
@ grootblousmile:
Reply button now works for me too
14@ Pam Anderson:
I’m glad for you!
Not that I’ve changed anything on the Mobile Site since that day when you could not use the Reply Button… hehehhe
What has impressed me about Jantjies is his ability / willingness to hold onto the ball at the last possible instance instead of passing a 50/50 ball to someone who’s not really in a better position than he is. (Don’t know if that makes sense?)
Perhaps it’s the Carlos Spenser influence, but we must bear in mind that this youngster played age group Rugby before teaming up with “King” Carlos, so he must have had talent anyway.
His kicking will settle down, but it may be too late to rescue the Lions Super Rugby campaign.
I have a nasty feeling that Friday night may be make or break for the Lions’ season.
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