A spate of injuries among Springbok flyhalves has led to the call-up to the Castle Lager Rugby Championship training squad for 46-Test veteran Elton Jantjies.
The 32-year-old – who played his last Test against Australia in August last year, has been added as injury cover for Handre Pollard and Damian Willemse, who are both currently in rehabilitation. The only fit No 10 in the training squad is Manie Libbok.
“Damian has a knee injury and will be touch-and-go for the first Test of the season next month while Handre is definitely out,” said Jacques Nienaber, Springbok coach.
“It means Manie is our only fit flyhalf as of today and we can’t go into a Test season without any cover. We weighed up the options available locally and overseas – having tracked all of them throughout the season just completed – and Elton is the next flyhalf in line.
“He knows our thinking and systems inside out and can slot in easily. We kick off against Australia in three weeks and should Damian Willemse not return to full fitness by then Elton would be ready to play.”
Jantjies made his Test debut against Australia in Pretoria in 2012 and has been a fixture in Springbok squads for the past six years. He is currently in France and will join the squad in Pretoria on Sunday.
The Springboks’ first Test of the year is against Australia at Loftus Versfeld on 8 July.