Shining son
3 Dec 2010
SA Rugby magazine discovers that Elton Jantjies’ rugby career has been shaped by his father.
‘Yes, sir. No, sir.’ All of Thomas Jantjies’ answers to my questions begin or end with ‘sir’. It’s not treatment I would expect to receive from Elton Jantjies’ father, who is a regimental sergeant major (RSM) in the South African Army, but it shows the disciplined and respectful way Elton was brought up by his parents.
By the latter stages of the Currie Cup, Lions coach John Mitchell didn’t want any of the media speaking to Elton due to his significant rise and the associated interest from the fourth estate, but his father provides the greatest insight. Not just as a supportive parent, but sergeant-major Jantjies also coached Elton as an U14 player at Klerksdorp High, where they won the Beeld Trophy.
As a member of the army, Thomas was often transferred to different locations around the country, which meant settling down was tough for Elton and his younger brother Altonio – who plays for the Bulls U19 side. But in both cases wherever the pair, who Thomas describes as ‘best friends’, went, they excelled at sport. Most of that comes down to the guidance and structured support they received at home.
Elton was born in Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape, but by 13 he’d lived in Cape Town, Pretoria, Potchefstroom and Mooi River. He played provincial age-group rugby and cricket, and in 2004 when the family relocated to Cape Town again, his dad admits to being a little worried about how Elton would react.
‘The moving was tough on the family, but it was out of our hands. It was fine at primary school, but when we got back to Cape Town, I became concerned about moving Elton as he was getting older.
‘Being involved in the defence force helped with the disciplinary aspect of raising the boys, because parents have to teach that to a certain level. If you teach them discipline, their attitude changes. If you have a positive attitude, positive things happen.
‘That helped with all the disruptions, but I knew Elton had to settle at high school. We only stayed in Cape Town for two years, and it was all up and down. When we were leaving, everyone was talking about the future and whether Elton should stay.’
Elton finished his Grade 9 year at Paarl Gymnasium, where he played U15A rugby and 1st XI cricket, while he also represented the Boland U19 cricket team in the same year. With the family heading back to Pretoria, Thomas wanted Elton to stay near them.
He boarded at Hoërskool Florida on the West Rand, where he finished his schooling.
‘I thought of keeping Elton at Gym, but from my side, it wasn’t about the two provinces as I knew they had good structures. The parent in me came out and human nature took over, and I wanted to have my boys nearby and for them to grow up with me.’
Elton lists his father as his greatest mentor, along with Carlos Spencer, his hero. Elton and Altonio have always been close to their parents, and although in Elton’s case his father was also his coach, Thomas is not an over-domineering figure as has been the case with some other younger sportspeople.
Thomas is grateful for what the Kiwi pair of John Mitchell and Spencer have done for this year’s SA U20 flyhalf, who made his starting debut in the Currie Cup against the Blue Bulls, aged 19.
‘Elton’s developed a lot under those two,’ says Thomas. ‘I told the coaches and the union that I’ve signed Elton off to his coaches. I’ll always be his father, but John and Carlos are his father figures now. I’m impressed with them, and everyone from the doctor to the conditioning coaches. I liked what John told him. He said that if Elton has a problem at 3am or whenever, he must get hold of him because he’s always available, 24 hours a day. There aren’t many coaches who’d say that.
‘In the past few months I’ve seen Elton grow. He’s thinking like an adult. His body language is so different to how it was at junior level.’
Most of the hype – rightly or wrongly – has been around Jantjies’ SA U20 team-mate Pat Lambie, but under the guidance of Mitchell and Spencer, Jantjies has also delivered consistent performances throughout the Currie Cup.
Although Mitchell believes he’s good enough, he doesn’t think Jantjies should be rushed into the Springbok squad for the Grand Slam tour, simply because of injury and conditioning concerns. With Morné Steyn set to be rested, Butch James only expected back from shoulder injury in November and Peter Grant in Japan, Jantjies and Lambie were viewed as the best candidates.
Mitchell stated after the Bulls game in mid-September that it would be short-sighted to put Jantjies in without him having played Super Rugby, and he hasn’t changed his view.
‘Elton’s still young and isn’t as strong and conditioned as he could be,’ says Mitchell. ‘He’s made strides and has lost some body fat, but is still carrying a few niggles. He’ll benefit from a proper 15-week off-season and it’s more important he lasts the whole of 2011 and that people don’t just look at one tour. If he’s rested, he’ll prosper and thrive for us and South African rugby. He’ll be a real asset.
‘Mentally it won’t do him any damage if results don’t go the Boks’ way, but the sensible move would be to give him a good pre-season. That would help South African rugby for four years, not just four weeks. Coaches owe it to the individual to prosper and not to degenerate. With some young players, when their performances don’t go to plan initially, they tend to be thrown away. If Elton makes the squad, the Bok coaching staff must be transparent with their aims for him.’
Former All Blacks flyhalf and Jantjies’ backline coach at the Lions, Spencer, reiterates Mitchell’s concerns.
‘Elton really is one for the future. The only problem is he’s carrying a few injuries and we had to work hard on him during the week in the latter stages of the Currie Cup to get him on the field. He was carrying a bad foot injury, and that hindered his goal-kicking practice during the week. That’s the reason he dipped in his averages against the Bulls and Sharks late on. If he had been able to do his normal amount of kicking in the build-up, he would have had the confidence and wouldn’t have had any problems. That’s why he needs a good pre-season.’
Despite conditioning concerns, Mitchell, Spencer and Thomas Jantjies all believe Elton could cope with the international step up this November. Jantjies Snr says Elton’s proved he can deal with the tough circumstances of having to play out of his age-group throughout his junior career (when he was 16 he played for the Lions U19s, and when he was 17, for the province’s U21 side).
‘Elton was exposed to the Currie Cup as a young guy,’ says Thomas. ‘He got the chance to perform, and took it with both hands. I feel he’s ready – those same players he’s playing with and against will also tour with the Boks. Look at history, James O’Connor played Test rugby aged 18, and Frans Steyn played at 19. I’m not saying Elton should be the first-choice flyhalf, but he’s relaxed and comfortable in this competition. If the opportunity comes, he’ll take it. He’s ready for the outside world. When he was 16 playing against much older guys I was concerned, but he performed. The way he’s been playing and the way he’s been managed shows he’s ready. I’m not worried that the national coach will throw him in the deep end.’
However, if the set-up in the Bok squad is similar to the one in the Tri-Nations and last year’s European tour, he’s likely to receive little to no coaching. Throwing a young flyhalf into an unsettled and disorganised team wouldn’t be the ideal introduction to international rugby.
Whether Jantjies becomes a Bok now, or as Mitchell and Spencer hope, next year, the pair agree that he’s something special.
Says Spencer: ‘I first trained with him during the Super 14 and noticed his quick feet. Then I watched him play for SA U20, and was encouraged by the way he attacked the gain line and used his physical presence to run at the defence. At the moment he’s very quiet on the field, but it’s only his opening first-class season and that will improve with time. He will learn how to control a game and our game plan. [Lions centre] Doppies la Grange has also really helped him on the field.
‘We’re working on his communication, but he’s a naturally talented ball-player. There aren’t many of those around. We don’t have to work on any of his skills, he has all the talent. All we do is show him a few clips of where he went wrong.’
Although Thomas has played an important role in both of his sons’ rise to prominence, he will merely guide them along and not interfere excessively. The obvious comparison to make is between the Jantjies brothers and the Rose siblings, Earl and Jody, who – especially in Earl’s case – have had a silver pathway to the top of South African rugby, but haven’t made it. Their father, Enver, has been viewed as more of a nuisance than aid, but after a lengthy conversation with Thomas, it’s clear that isn’t the case here and that discipline won’t be a problem.
‘When Elton was younger I was really involved in his coaching, especially his kicking and his technique. He’d always say to me, “Come Dad, let’s go practise kicking or something else.” We’d discuss the way he played. Our relationship was such that we trained after hours and did fitness. But now I’m more of a supporter and parent. I trust the coaches on the ground.
‘I don’t want to comment on the Roses, I don’t know them. But what we did with our kids 18 and 19 years ago is what we do with them now. I sort out the discipline at home and if I see something I’m unhappy with, we discuss it. There’ll be no ill-discipline. They’ll have the same agents from 2008 to 2012, and they’ll supply guidance and motivation. If Elton loses direction, the Lions will sort it out, and if Altonio loses direction, the Bulls will sort it out.
‘I’ve always told them to read as much as possible and watch other people and learn lessons from them. Throw away their negatives and keep the positives. They’re also focused. If they mess around at home, they know what will happen. Maybe once a month Elton will ask if he can go out late the next weekend, and then I’ll pick him up myself.’
By Grant Ball
– This article first appeared in the November issue of SA Rugby magazine.
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124 Comments
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3 Dec 2010, 11:35 am
@poppa69 : SBW is over-hyped, but with good reason. Nonu has been the weak link in the AB backline for a few years now… One dimensional player and ineffective vs the big boys.
SBW still has to prove he has what it takes against the bigger nations, but I reckon he’ll be a world beater soon enough.
3 Dec 2010, 11:40 am
@lepel : I agree he has been over hyped. but watching him play league for a few years he does have the necessary skills..
my point was, Jantjies and Lambie are already being declared as the new messiahs… they may well be some day, but they are being talked up when they really have no form on the board as of yet..
neither have played super rugby to my knowledge, is that correct?
3 Dec 2010, 11:50 am
Both were great in the S14
3 Dec 2010, 11:51 am
@poppa69 : popps, that’s what i’ve been saying all along, especially about lambie “the future of bok rugby” and he’s only played at fullback in super rugby…if you read the above article it even refers to the media frenzy having been all about lambie…
this is nothing more that what the kiwi press made of aaron cruden.
3 Dec 2010, 11:51 am
@KevinRack : hahaha
3 Dec 2010, 11:56 am
@Transformation : yeah, I agree on Cruden… I think the cancer angle with him actually helped push him into the limelight some… I did read the article and am impressed with Eltons dad…
didnt realise Lambie had super experience… I guess we all look at up and comers hoping that we have unearthed the next superstar of rugby..
3 Dec 2010, 12:00 pm
Here’s hoping Elton is managed well and flourishes in time. Confident that Mitchell and Spencer will develop him into the best that he can be. Dicky would have played him in 3 different positions already
)
3 Dec 2010, 13:00 pm
@Yetirat : Fortunately, Lil’ Jantjies is a strict flyhalf, there’s no where else to play him, which gives him an immense advantage to have more consistency in that position. Besides, I think the Boks in time, hopefully, short time will need both Lambie and Jantjies on the paddock. Lambie’s kicking game is not on the same level as Jantjies but playing at full back it does not necessarily have to be in the new era, a full back needs to have the ability to pick space and I am of the opinion Lambie can do that. The Boks need a full back who can combine and involve his wings in counter-attack. The other option of course for the Boks is Aplon at fullback and Lambie at inside center with Juan De Jong at outside. This already sounds dangerous combine these chaps with Lwazi Mvovo and Basson, then the Boks will have no choice but be exciting!
Elton at flyhalf is a revelation, in the mode of King Carlos, has an eager nose for a gap, great feet, no-look passes, but has a better still-ball kicking ability then Carlos Spencer. Lil’ El J is definitely the business.
Ps. I love the fact that his father picks him up at a pre-agreed time after he’s gone for a beer with the fellows! Stunning.
3 Dec 2010, 14:40 pm
@Transformation : The “jerry curl juice” could drip, leave an oil slick. Melt the snow and form some lubricated emulsion that melts rugby studs. Watch the power of Samson Jantjies.. The legend.. lol
3 Dec 2010, 14:46 pm
@Transformation : Lambie did have a descant S14.. He was nothing amazing but he had definately elevated his game sinve his time playing S14. After that season, the dude played in the SA U20 Worldcup and was a man among boys.. His defence and agression was too much for the the other boys his age to handle..
3 Dec 2010, 14:57 pm
The funny thing is of all these kids to come through Francios Steyn has been the Biggest sensation of them all. He is not necessary the most gifted of them, however he has left a strong marker on World rugby. He makes so many bad decisions in matches but he makes at least 80-100 good decisions. He is a loose-canon, but he has won a world cup at 19, went on to win a Lions series, trinations and contributed hugely to the success of all those Bok accolades.
3 Dec 2010, 15:14 pm
The Shining Son and The Prince could be the difference in this game
If the Shining Son performs on Sat and later on during the S15, then I think its time then to come back to the real Vahalla Park!
3 Dec 2010, 15:16 pm
Elton and Patrick are the future.
And the present.
If you are good enough, you are old enough.
3 Dec 2010, 17:05 pm
@Tbozknows : Francois Steyn time has come and gone. Lil Jantjies and the Lamb, are the Bok future. Both of them trump Francois Steyn on the talent side, we talk of young players, and I naturally gravitate to comparing Frans Steyn to a Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor, or Quade Cooper, and I don’t think he is on their level at all in lieu of impact and sensational play in the international arena. However, I do believe the dangerous duo EL-J and the Lamb in two years of consistent play at Flyhalf and fullback respectively can get there.
3 Dec 2010, 17:14 pm
Elton Jantjies only draw-back, which I just cannot get over is that platteland-paarl hairdo! That has to go. He needs to neaten that up quick. It looks like an S-curl after a swim without a shower cap, just not proper.
3 Dec 2010, 17:19 pm
Jantjies will be owned by Gits tomorrow, boks in for a beating
3 Dec 2010, 17:20 pm
@willievz : Agree with Lambie, but Elton has not proved himself against top opposition in the S14?
3 Dec 2010, 17:54 pm
@wing_14 : Don’t talk too soon. We don’t know what will happen but don’t write off EL J quickly.
3 Dec 2010, 18:59 pm
If he is such a good Dad, then he should warn his kid to steer clear from the like of Nonu, De Wet Barry, or the French head hunters or his career will be cut short abruptly,,,
3 Dec 2010, 21:38 pm
One for the future I really do hope.
I think they should have listened to Mitchell but then again he needs exposure to teh Bok setup if he is in their long term plans.
I do think though we as a whole don’t give enough attention to rest and conditioning. Our players (and other countries players) are very over-played.
Greed and fear – ruin a career
3 Dec 2010, 21:40 pm
@Qudeni :
And Victor Matfield looks like a caveman – what should he do to clean up? Shave? Get a haircut? Please mate you are nit picking big time.
4 Dec 2010, 07:11 am
Thank you for your service RSM Jantjies.
4 Dec 2010, 07:29 am
- jantjies is a product of our national B-EE system . The I saw EJ play he did well but never the class of Lambie at 10. I’m afraid that Lambie is now compaired to a lesser player only because of race. PL is a brilliant player. How many young players have won Currie Cup finals and in the way he has? EJ on the other hand is a good player in an average side performing well at provincial level. The step up to test level is much bigger than the previous disadvantaged lot want to admit. EJ will be shown up today and Springbok Rugby will pay the price. At least we kan say that we have another black test cap!
4 Dec 2010, 18:19 pm
@rugby_only : Lol spot on…just another quota who got schooled by a thrown-together team
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