Elton Jantjies

Back in the Emirates Lions starting line-up for Saturday’s Super Rugby clash against the Brumbies at Emirates Airline Park, Elton Jantjies is enjoying one of his better seasons on South African soil.

The Johannesburg side are very much in playoff contention and Jantjies has become coach Johan Ackermann’s 1st choice pivot along the way.

A few rugby minds have now started wondering whether or not Jantjies has done enough to work his way into Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer’s World Cup plans. The smart money remains on the flyhalf slot going to either Handré Pollard or Patrick Lambie and while Jantjies has not ruled out any possibilities he chooses instead to let his performances do the talking.

“I can talk a big game but if my performances on the field don’t match up, there is no point in me saying that I want to go to the World Cup and be the 1st-choice flyhalf,” Jantjies said.

“I believe my performances will determine where I play. I want to become a regular for the Springboks and want to make sure I get a starting place in the match 23. I believe the strong competition at flyhalf is good for South African rugby.”

Jantjies will have another opportunity to advertise his capabilities against the Brumbies – a match that he is eyeing out, given the Brumbies high penalty count against the DHL Stormers last weekend.

“As a goal-kicker, those stats are good to look at because you can get extra points from a side’s ill-discipline,” he said.

Sport24