Nightmare 2016 can help South Africa - Jantjies

South Africa fly-half Elton Jantjies believes the Springboks will benefit from their nightmare 2016.

Having only narrowly beaten Ireland in a three-match Test series in June, South Africa finished third in the Rugby Championship after winning just two of their six games.

The Springboks were then defeated by England, Italy and Wales in the end-of-year internationals, which concluded a year in which they lost eight of their 12 Tests.

That dreadful form led to a review process by the South Africa Rugby Union and it remains unclear whether embattled head coach Allister Coetzee will stay in charge.

But, with a host of players getting their first experience of senior international rugby last year, Jantjies sees hope for the future.

"We are trying to implement certain areas in our game that we have to adapt to at Test level," Jantjies told SuperSport.

"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 and 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."