This is the story that has been making headlines in the South African tabloids for two weeks: the infidelity of which the Springboks' opening half, Elton Jantjies (32 years old, 45 selections), went through the Pau section.
Summoned to leave the South African group which was preparing its test match against Argentina for being guilty of an extramarital affair.
"
The Springboks management is aware of a relationship involving fly-half Elton Jantjies and team dietician Zeenat Simjee, which took place between Sabie's training camp and the test match against New Zealand. Zealand in Mbombela
” on August 13, SA Rugby (the South African Federation) had then communicated.
The player apologized last Friday.
While claiming that the dietitian of the world champions was not the person concerned!
“
Simjee was never with me in either of the two houses I stayed in,” he says.
She is a good friend and nothing more.
That his name is dragged through the mud in this way is a shame.
“In a press release published on her side, Zeenat Simjee affirms that she was with her parents to face a family mourning the weekend in question.
“
Allegations that I spent time with Elton Jantjies at a boarding house are therefore false
,” she wrote, saying she was “
shocked
” and “
devastated
” that a local newspaper could “
publishing such damaging allegations on the basis of false and baseless hearsay
”.
And what about the South African federation which did not hesitate to officially accredit this thesis...
His wife, Iva, vilifies the South African federation
In his press release, Elton Jantjies obviously makes his mea culpa.
"
I am well aware that the press reports of my recent behavior have caused great disappointment and anger in many people, and I apologize unreservedly to anyone I have hurt or disappointed: my teammates, the management team of the Springboks and SA Rugby (the South African Federation, editor's note)
”, writes Jantjies in a press release.
Adding that he “
did not do justice to the Springbok jersey, a jersey that I have worshiped since I was a child.
I betrayed myself, and I betrayed my family, and all rugby lovers in this country, and I deeply regret my actions.
I assume it
full responsibility and I am determined to change my behavior.
»
Words that did not calm the storm.
The wife of the South African opener, with whom he had three children, came out of her silence with news24 to vilify… SA Rugby.
In its press release, the South African Federation had indeed added these details: “
no team protocol has been breached, but the individuals are returning to South Africa to eliminate any distraction in the team’s preparations for the test. against Argentina
.
An ethical lightness that did not please Iva Jantjies.
"
This is very concerning for all wives of South Africa national team players as none of us were aware that this behavior does not break any rules and is taken so lightly… is very disappointing on the part of a Federation which is the holder of the World Cup title to allow situations like this to be created within the national team itself...
"
Iva and Elton Jantjies Instagram
In this interview, the flouted wife wonders if her relationship with the player, which began in 2014, will withstand this.
“
We had ups and downs, like all other couples.
I've always been there to support him in good times and bad, and I still am.
When we met, he wasn't even in the Boks squad.
We have worked very hard for him to achieve his goals and dreams.
I sacrificed so many things, including my career and my dreams.
»
Kicked out by his Japanese franchise
Residing in Japan with her children, she has to face yet another consequence of this public unpacking.
Faced with the scandal, the Japanese club Urayasu D-Rocks (second division) where Elton Jantjies plays, took the decision to put an end to his (juicy) contract.
Iva may have written to them to implore them not to take action, according to the Japanese press, the managers of the franchise (operated by the commercial company NTT Sports X) only agreed to keep him until December, the end of of the school year in Japan.
On this date, the Jantjies will have to leave the accommodation allocated to them.
