Another Jantjies to watch
WP scrumhalf Herschel has the makings of a star, says coach Snyman
WESTERN PROVINCE assistant coach Dawie Snyman says they want to make sure scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies is an all-round player, and by the looks of it, they already have quite a bit to work with.
Earlier this week, the WP attack coach had nothing but good words to say regarding the No 9’s “basic” scrumhalf duties, while he also praised his ability to speed up a game.
Jantjies played in all nine of Province’s SuperSport Challenge games this season and made his Super Rugby debut in the Stormers’ last game of the 2018 season against the Sharks.
After Western Province’s firing start to their Currie Cup campaign, there will obviously be a standard to maintain when the defending champions take on the Golden Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday - a standard for both sides, although Province have only played two games as opposed to the Lions’ three.
The Johannesburg fixture will feature two of the three unbeaten teams in the 2018 competition (the Sharks have also bagged maximum points in their three games), and that alone should make it a good one.
“I really rate Herschel as a player,” Snyman said.
“He brings speed to the game and he’s got good support lines, so every time we’re in a position to make a line-break he’s on the inside and quick to the ball. Every time he’s been on the field I think he’s been able to speed it up a little more and get us into good positions.
“His basics are solid. He’s got a great pass and the kicking game under pressure is something he hasn’t been exposed to at this level, but we’re working on it constantly and we want to make sure he’s an all-round player.”
Two weeks ago, Province head coach John Dobson also singled out Jantjies and lock Ernst van Rhyn after the 57-28 drubbing in Nelspruit, saying that the duo did well against a determined Pumas outfit that just kept coming.
And although he has provided cover off the bench for the experienced Jano Vermaak in the first two games, the sparky scrumhalf would have done enough to justify his inclusion had there been a “players to watch” list for Round 5.
So, while there are a number of players in both sides whose performances have certainly warranted anticipation - you know, the Hacjivah Dayimanis, the Sergeal Petersens, and so on - make sure to keep an eye on Herschel Jantjies as
WESTERN PROVINCE FOR LIFE
Jantjies, an alumnus of Paul Roos Gymnasium, represented Western Province at Under-16 level in 2012 and at the Craven Week in 2013 and 2014. After coming through the U19 and U21 ranks, he featured in WP’s SuperSport Challenge campaigns last year – which they won – and earlier this season.
He was named in the Stormers’ wider squad for the 2018 Super Rugby season, and made his tournament debut against the Sharks, then aged 22-years-old, in the last match of the season.
CUM LAUDE IN VARSITY SHIELD
Last year, the Stellenbosh-born Jantjies represented the University of the Western Cape in their Varsity Shield-winning season and was rewarded for his brilliant performances with an inclusion in Pote Human’s Varsity Cup Dream Team to face the Junior Boks. | Wynona Louw