Jantjies signs loan deal with Stormers for Super Rugby 2013
NEWLY capped Springbok flyhalf and hot star Elton Jantjies has signed a loan agreement to play for the Stormers in next year’s Super Rugby tournament.
Jantjies, who made his Test debut in the past weekend’s 318 win over Australia, has a clause in his current contract with the Lions that allows him to play Super Rugby for another franchise if the Johan- nesburg-based team is relegated from the competition.
The Cape Times has established that Jantjies has finally decided to come to Cape Town next year and play for the Stormers, after he was also courted by the Sharks.
WP and Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said yesterday that while he had not yet received confirmation that the 22-year-old would be joining his team next year, he was hopeful that it could happen.
Coetzee had a smile on his face yesterday when asked for comment by the Cape Times. “I have not yet received a signed loan agreement from Elton. I will only believe it when the papers are signed and I have it in front of me.
“Elton can only come on loan to us, as he is contracted with the Lions until the end of 2013. But it would be positive news if he has now decided to come here.
“There hasn’t been much talk between us and Elton lately, as he is obviously busy with the Springboks at the moment. I hope to announce all our signings in two weeks’ time.”
Jantjies’s arrival in the Cape next year would be a significant boost to their chances of going those two steps further and winning the Super Rugby title after finishing as losing semi-finalists for the last two years. The Stormers also reached the 2010 final, losing to the Bulls.
Peter Grant is likely to miss out on the first few rounds of next year’s tournament once more due to his club commitments in Japan, and so Jantjies will be even more valuable to the Stormers.
While Grant has been a solid and consistent performer for the Cape side in the last few years, Jantjies could provide that attacking spark that is desperately needed to complement the superb defence that has proved to be the best in the competition.
Coetzee is currently experiencing a flyhalf crisis with Western Province in the Currie Cup, with Kurt Coleman and Gary van Aswegen out for the season due to injury and Burton Francis having joined the SWD Eagles. Incumbent Demetri Catrakilis is the only recognised pivot in the WP squad, but he will join the Southern Kings next year.
The Stormers have already signed young Lions and Baby Bok lock Ruan Botha on a twoyear deal from next year, and are also chasing a number of other Lions stars such as Springboks Jaco Taute, Pat Cilliers and Bandise Maku, lock Michael Rhodes and hooker Callie Visagie.