Jantjies wants a second final

Rudolph Jacobs

Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies (below) revealed yesterday it would be “a great feeling” for him to play in another Currie Cup final this weekend.

While the Golden Lions were initially regarded as the major underdogs for Saturday’s semifinal against the Sharks in Durban, the picture changed overnight with a few Bok players returning to the Lions set-up.

Apart from Jantjies and centre Lionel Mapoe, it emerged that No 8 Warren Whiteley, lock Franco Mostert, wing Aphiwe Dyantyi and hooker Malcolm Marx, who was carrying a slight injury, could all be available.

“The team hasn’t been announced yet, and yes, we have a few Boks returning, but they also have Boks,” Jantjies said.

“Hopefully it can boost the team, but then again it’s the same from their point of view.

“We have to ensure we execute the game plan the coaches have worked out for this game, and then make sure the spine of the team do their bit.”

Before last week’s Pumas game in Nelspruit, Jantjies last played a Currie Cup match in 2013, and his only previous final was in 2011 when he was just 21 and steered the Lions to a 42-16 win over the Sharks at Ellis Park.

“It is great to play Currie Cup again and it was quite exciting for me, especially after Super Rugby and being with the Boks. You normally take it as a formality but you shouldn’t,” he said.

“Getting the break to play again in the competition put some energy back in my life and I always cherish the Currie Cup.”

While their Boks would bring some experience to the Lions side, Jantjies said he had always felt that rugby fundamentals did not change. It was all about when to run, when to pass, when to kick and winning set-pieces.

“The intensity will go up and the physicality will go up.”

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