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'Had a shocker' - Clear scapegoat emerges for Springbok flop
By Kim Ekin
Social media can be an unforgiving place and there was nowhere to hide for Springboks flyhalf Elton Jantjies - who was heavily criticised following their win in Pretoria on Saturday.
Jantjies - who got the shepherd's crook- had a torrid time with the boot. The former Lions 10 struggled with kicking from hand and from the tee, costing the Springboks multiple points-scoring opportunities. He's always had his critics, but this fruitless display has played right into their hands.
In wild contrast, his replacement shone. Damian Willemse clinched the game with a 82nd-minute penalty and played well throughout his time on the field and looks likes like his sure thing for the Springbok 10 jersey next weekend.
Meanwhile Jantjies - who recently managed to avoid a court case over an incident on an aeroplane - was the scapegoat in chief on Twitter.
Former Wales and Lions wing Dafydd James noted: 'Good start for Wales started with a bang disruption to set piece and frustrating SA. Boks Jantjies is having a torrid time.'
The Daily Mail's Alex Bywater concurred, writing: "Springboks very rusty and Jantjies has had a shocker at 10... Boks have to hook Jantjies surely but lack of specialist replacement 10 holding them back?"
Popular South African rugby writer AP Cronje summed up what many South Afrian fans must have been thinking: 'Why did Jantjies kick that? His selection is because he’s supposed to give our attack direction. He hasn’t done that, and his kicking has been poor. Goal kicking. Line kicking. Kicking out of hand. Having an absolute horror show... .. Jantjies is cursed at the moment - even when he makes a good read it results in a Wales try."
A similar level of opprobrium was mirrored across the social platform.
In stark contrast, Willemse was having his praises sung from all and sundry. The totally unbiased official Stormers account wrote: "You want Damian Willemse on your team every time. He is a class above."
Even with star flyhalf Handre Pollard injured, it appears Jantjies reign as his second fiddle has come to end.
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Latest Comments
They won’t be rested Ed. Gathie was forced to ditch that practice, by WR, LNR, or whoever, IDK.
It’s very simple and you obviously know this, they do what’s best for the athlete. Galthie is just doing his part in making sure they don’t break, you know, like a team effort.
Just as LNRs teams are.
Bottom lines? The players don’t get a lot of rest as their season is so long, yes, but Galthie can select any player he wants in an International window. You just have to ask yourself does Galthie want to select that player or ensure they are rested? You just need to stop being obtuse, and some French white knight guy, what you say is simply untrue.
Why not just word it properly?
Go to commentsI can see where you are coming from.
The ANZAC myth has been used by sports teams for years. Some to a greater degree e.g. the old Rugby League ANZAC test, some other sports will make passing reference in the advertising or commentary etc.
I don’t think the ANZACs (looking down from heaven) see themselves as sacred cows. I think they would rather see a game of rugby in their honour. What better time to hold a Bledisloe cup match?
ANZAC day is about both remembering the ANZAC’s sacrifice, and their descendants celebrating the freedom we have because of that sacrifice. If a Bledisloe ANZAC test was done in a tasteful way. I see no issue with it.
I don’t think rugby league deserved to host an ANZAC test as rugby league organisations encouraged their players not to go to WWI (Australia didn’t conscript for WWI).
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