It runs in the Jantjies family
Brothers Tony and Elton on national duties
FOR Thomas and Alma Jantjies this weekend will be a logistical challenge as they try to watch their two sons play rugby for their country at venues more than 760km apart.
Tonight younger son Tony, 19, will be on the bench for the Baby Boks in the IRB World Junior Championship final at Newlands in Cape Town against the Baby Blacks of New Zealand.
And tomorrow elder brother Elton, 21, will be part of the Springboks’ match squad for the third and final test against England, to be played at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
Elton has toured with the Boks, but never played a test. Tomorrow he is one of the seven reserves and could make his test debut from the bench.
Their parents will travel from Pretoria to Cape Town and watch Tony play tonight. Tomorrow the three of them (parents and Tony) will fly to Port Elizabeth for what could be Elton’s big day.
“It was a huge surprise when Elton’s name was read out,” said Thomas Jantjies about the Springbok team announcement.
“Elton had given no indication that he was going to be in the squad because he didn’t know. This is such an honour for our family. His mother (Alma) didn’t see the team announcement because she was in a meeting at work, but since she found out she has been in tears.
“Both our sons are involved in huge matches this weekend and I can’t stop thanking the Lord, the selectors and coaches Heyneke Meyer and Dawie Theron.
“Those two coaches have bestowed a great privilege and opportunity to my two sons and I think they will be making some kind of history. When it comes to being at both their games we have a challenge on our hands.”
The couple went to watch Tony play early in the Junior World Championship, before he was injured and missed subsequent games. Now that he has recovered and is on the bench, it’s time to return to the Mother City.
Another man happy to see Elton’s selection was Lions coach John Mitchell.
“I’m really pleased that Heyneke has taken this opportunity to put Elton on the bench,” said Mitchell.
“He’s already played at a very high level but this year he’s had to overcome some adversities and mature by playing with many different halfbacks and centres around him.
“He’s grown enormously and I’m very proud and happy for him that he is going to play test rugby.”
Thomas has been the biggest driving force behind his sons’ careers and still keeps copious notes on their performances.
The trio still work and analyse the boys’ games most nights and weekends at home.
Both Elton and Tony live at home and they will still do field sessions on Sundays under their father’s watchful eye.
Elton, who plays for the Lions, and Tony, who is a Blue Bull, often train together in the gym where former cruiserweight world boxing champion Sebastian Rothman works on their fitness.