Sharks, WP in race for Jantjies signature
by Brenden Nel 12 September 2012, 10:56
The Sharks and Western Province lead the race for the signature of Elton Jantjies to join them for next year’s Vodacom Super Rugby series.
Jantjies has been spotted in Durban and Cape Town in the last few weeks and will make a decision as to his future in the next few weeks after the Lions were ejected from next year’s tournament.
The talented flyhalf has a clause in his contract that allows him to play his rugby elsewhere in Super Rugby while keeping his contract with the Lions, returning for the playoff matches and Currie Cup tournament in 2013.
But for now, the hunt for his services is possibly the most eagerly anticipated player chase in the country at the moment and Jantjies is dead set on playing Super Rugby -- the question remaining being where?
While WP have made a lucrative offer for him to move to Cape Town, the Sharks officials meet with their Lions counterparts today (Wednesday) to ensure that if Jantjies does make the move, the Lions can bring him back for their anticipated playoff game against the lowest ranked South African franchise at the end of the tournament next year.
Jantjies was called up to the Springboks this year, but despite being on the bench in the third test in Port Elizabeth, never got onto the field, and was subsequently dropped afterwards when the team was selected for the Castle Rugby Championship, with fellow young gun Johan Goosen being preferred by coach Heyneke Meyer.
Since then he has shone in the Currie Cup, and was instrumental in his side’s victories over Western Province and the Blue Bulls, reminding all and sundry of his exceptional attacking abilities.
Jantjies's agent, Jason Adams, confirmed to supersport.com that no decision on his future had been made yet.
“We have a number of options on the table and we will sit down in the next week or so and take a decision as to his future,” Adams told supersport.com.
