Herschel Jantjies is officially back in the Springbok starting frame, and the World Cup-winning scrumhalf is ready to seize a career-defining opportunity against Australia in Perth this weekend.
After a three-year absence from regular international action, the 30-year-old No. 9 is eager to translate his learnings from a revamped coaching staff into a statement performance.
For Jantjies, facing Australia carries a deep sense of nostalgia, but his focus remains strictly on the present.“Making my debut in 2019 against Australia, there are a lot of special memories. But also, it’s a long time down the line now,” Jantjies told the media this week.
“I’ve been out of the mix for about three years now, and I don’t think the team I play against or get my opportunity against matters that much. I’m just really grateful for the opportunity, and hopefully I can go out this weekend and play to the best of my ability.”
The Springbok environment has evolved significantly since Jantjies last held down the starting jersey. The halfback credited the influx of fresh perspective from new assistant coaches Tony Brown and Jerry Flannery, alongside a familiar face in Felix Jones, for revitalising his approach to the game.
“Obviously lots has changed. It’s incredible working with coaches like Coach Tony [Brown] and Coach Jerry [Flannery] … and Coach Felix [Jones], I’ve worked with before.
“So there’s been a lot of learning from them, seeing how they see the game and how they want to play the game; it’s a very exciting time for me.”
The internal battle for the South African scrumhalf jersey has never been fiercer. Rather than feeling discouraged by sitting on the sidelines, Jantjies used his time in camp to absorb information and draw inspiration from his teammates, specifically Morné 'Krappie' van den Berg, who shone in the recent Test against the All Blacks.
“The opportunity is here now to show what I’ve learned, and obviously being in the squad and not playing, I’ve learned a lot in training and sitting in team meetings and taking from the other scrumhalves,” Jantjies said.
“I mean, a guy like Krappie playing in the last Test against New Zealand and having an amazing game, it was great to see how he came on and went about his work. I would love to think that I could go on this weekend and similarly take the opportunity.”
“The competition in the squad at nine is amazing. We help each other where we can, and I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
With next year's Rugby World Cup rapidly approaching, this weekend’s Test represents the ultimate audition. Having already proven he has the big-match temperament in 2019, Jantjies is out to prove that the fire still burns just as bright.