Kings give Tony Jantjies the boot
Contract terminated due to breach of protocol
AFTER arriving late last year as a big new signing from the Bulls, the Eastern Province Kings and adventurous flyhalf Tony Jantjies parted ways under a cloud of controversy yesterday. In a terse three paragraph statement, the Kings announced they had terminated Jantjies’ contract with immediate effect.
EP Kings chief executive Charl Crous said Jantjies’ contract had been ended due to a breach of team protocol. Crous said he could not comment on the protocol breach, but that due and proper process had been followed.
Kings officials would not speculate on how Jantjies had transgressed, though rugby insiders said it might have been related to disciplinary issues.
Jantjies played at flyhalf for the Kings in the Vodacom Cup campaign, but an injury limited his appearances to just two matches. A damaged hamstring meant that Jantjies spent most of his time on the sidelines.
He had been reported to be on the comeback trail and had been expected to be fit for the EP Kings’ opening Currie Cup game against the Lions on August 8.
With regular flyhalfs George Whitehead, Gary van Aswegen and Jantjies all injured, the Kings fielded Hansie Graaff in the No 10 jersey during the Vodacom Cup.
When the Kings slumped to a 31-10 loss to junior franchise partners the SWD Eagles in the Vodacom Cup, Jantjies was replaced after starting the game.
After that clash a sour Mzwandile Stick, the EP Kings coach, said: “The forwards did not know where to go, because the playmakers did not control and did not put us in the right places.
“And it was difficult to play without any kickers after Scott van Breda went out and Tony Jantjies could not kick because he had a problem with his hamstring,” Stick had said.
It had all looked so promising for Jantjies when the ambitious flyhalf arrived in Port Elizabeth. Jantjies said then he had decided to turn his back on the Blue Bulls and sign for the Kings, because Eastern Province played an attacking brand of rugby which suited his style.
“I was at the Bulls from their under-19 structures and they have a different type of game. They play more of a kicking game,” Jantjies had said. “I am an attacking flyhalf and came here, and because coach Carlos Spencer was the big thing. I was excited when I heard Carlos was coming here. He worked with my brother Elton at the Lions.
“He has taught me a lot so far and I am sure that I will improve as a flyhalf and as a person in the next two or three years with him.”
Jantjies represented the Golden Lions at the 2008 under-16 Grant Khomo Week tournament, which lead to his inclusion in the under-16 Elite Squad.
He joined neighbours the Blue Bulls from the 2009 season. He played for them at the 2009 and 2010 under-18 Craven Week competitions, earning a spot in the SA Schools side in 2009.
Jantjies was included in the SA under-20 squad for the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship competition.
Another flyhalf, Karlos Aspeling, has joined the EP Kings on a trial after playing a season of club rugby for CUS Ad Maiora in Italy.
Aspeling, 27, has looked sharp in training and will be hoping to make a favourable impression on the EP Kings’ hierarchy.
Newcomer Aspeling started his career playing for the SWD Eagles in the 2006 under-19 and under-21 Provincial Championship competitions.
He was included in the UP Tuks Varsity Cup team in 2011 and in the NMMU Madibaz team in 2012, but failed to make an appearance.
The flyhalf then joined the Falcons for the 2012 Currie Cup First Division season, making his debut for them in their season opener against the Griffons.
Aspeling played in all 14 of the Griffons matches that season, scoring 106 points.
The following season, he joined the Border Bulldogs in East London team for the 2013 Vodacom Cup.
Aspeling played in all their games in that competition, scoring 66 points.
But last year, he moved to Turin to play for Italian Serie A side CUS Ad Maiora.