Jantjies ready to shine, says Ackermann

It’s a case of rather sooner than later for Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies to regain his best form.

This is the opinion of Lions coach Johan Ackermann, who left Jantjies, centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg, lock Franco Mostert and wing Lionel Mapoe at home when they flew to Argentina yesterday for the Super Rugby match against the Jaguares on Saturday.

Jantjies (birth of his second child), Janse van Rensburg (mother’s funeral), Mostert and Mapoe (rest and recovery) will rejoin the squad for next week’s Reds game at Ellis Park.

“I think Elton was a step up last week against the Waratahs and obviously our expectations of him in week one against the Cheetahs was one we weren’t satisfied with,” said Ackermann.

“But one could see his potential last weekend, that he is still a flyhalf who can attack very well and who can make good decisions.”

Ackermann said he believed Jantjies would regain more match sharpness as the competition progresses.

“There’s still work left, but as long as we only improve weekly and hopefully pick up the level, we could be there again.

“But I think credit should also go to the forwards who created a good platform in the scrums and lineouts. Elton took good control,” said Ackermann.

The coach added that there was definitely an increase in the level where they wanted to play against the Waratahs.

“While it wasn’t perfect yet, we always knew the first couple of weeks it would be a process,” said Ackermann.

After being too impatient in their opening win against the Cheetahs, the defence was the big worry against the Waratahs.

“It was always going to take time to get everyone together again, to get everyone on the same standard with the few guys who joined us late,” he said.