Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies will enter the 2017 knowing he will have a lot of competition this year for the number 10 jersey.
The Lions pivot will lead his side into the pre-season game at Newlands on Saturday looking to recapture the form that made him first choice for the Boks last year, but with a long season ahead he knows there are a few other players looking to take the jersey for themselves.
Sharks captain Pat Lambie will also lead his side into the opening games of the season, as will Handre Pollard at the Bulls, after he missed out on the entire 2016 season with injury and will be hungry to get back to the top.
And while things didn’t go that well for Jantjies and co last year at the Boks, he enjoyed a stellar season at the Lions, taking them to the final of Super Rugby as they outperformed all other South African sides during the year.
This video is not available in your region
This time around they will be looking for more, and Jantjies knows that, but reckons while the challenge is bound to be tougher, there was a lot the players at the Lions took out of last year that will keep them in good stead for this year.
“I learnt a lot. I think from a team point of view, there was a lot to learn, even though we had a good year and we can take a lot of confidence out of last year,” he told Supersport.com.
“This year will be tougher, and we will have to adapt a bit, work harder and prepare better than last year. We will need to be willing to execute what we did in the week.”
While the Boks disappointed, it wasn’t a year of frustration for Jantjies, who, although he struggled at test level in a young side, learnt a lot in the process, and now he wants to be better prepared and take things a step further this year.
This video is not available in your region
“No definitely not, I enjoy every moment, every training session. I’m always willing to learn, try new things,”he explained.
“We are trying to implement certain areas in our game that we have to adapt to at test level. It is exciting, I must say, just to see a lot of players having their first season, getting their debut at Springbok level as well.
“We have experienced customers as well, and what you learn from them is key to what you learnt from last year as an individual and as a team as well.
“I think it is exciting for SA rugby for a lot of guys to get that opportunity, lay the foundation that was built last year and to get the opportunity to take this through into 2017 – that will be good for us.”
Jantjies played in Japan in the off-season but is keen to make his mark to remind fans of his worth.
And Newlands will be the perfect way to start 2017.
No comments:
Post a Comment