Herschel Jantjies is the Boks’ man of the moment right now
Springboks’ nippy scrumhalf’s secret is to enjoy his game
● It is evident in his play. Herschel Jantjies goes about his business with verve and vigour, while the spring in his step suggests he is enjoying every minute of it.
The 23-year-old scrumhalf smiled this week when asked about the influences on his career and how former Bok wing Chester Williams and scrumhalf Bolla Conradie helped set him on his path.
They inculcated an approach in which the player derives joy from the incremental improvement he makes, rather than the outrageously spectacular.
“They taught me to enjoy my rugby and also to be better in every game,” said Jantjies about his time at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) where Williams and Conradie coached. “I enjoyed my rugby at UWC. I took it with me. I still enjoy my rugby,” he said in a matter of fact tone.
He has deep appreciation for the role the late Williams played. “Coach Chester gave me a lifeline and I’m really thankful for that.
If all my passes are solid, it’s a lot better than scoring a try Herschel Jantjies
Springbok scrumhalf
May he rest in peace. Coach Chester and coach Bolla together — it was just amazing to be in the presence of such legends. I learnt a lot from coach Bolla,” noted Jantjies.
It perhaps explains why what brings him most satisfaction, has the team rather than himself at the core.
“I told Elton (Jantjies) the other day, if I have a game where all my passes are solid, it feels a lot better than scoring a try, or to make a line break. If all my passes are tops I’m happy. I strive to pass like guys like Aaron Smith,” said Jantjies about the All Blacks’ scrumhalf.
“Definitely, it is exciting,” he said when asked if he sees scoring tries as the cherry on top.
“You can’t compare the excitement. As far as satisfaction is concerned it is a lot better when I finish a game knowing my passes were spot on,” said Jantjies.
Apart from Smith, Jantjies used to look up to Breyton Paulse, Francois Hougaard and Fourie du Preez.
“Outside SA, I liked Mike Phillips,” he said of the rugged Wales scrumhalf.
“When I made my debut off the bench for the Scarlets and Mike Phillips, it was very special for me.
“When Francois Hougaard played for the Springboks, I really wanted to play like him,” said Jantjies about the zippy backliner who divided his time between scrumhalf and wing.
Jantjies’ career has developed at the breakneck speed at which he plays. He still doesn’t quite know what to make of it.
“That is probably the question I got most this season and I still don’t know how to answer it. I try and deliver my best and I don’t see myself as inferior. For me it was always simple, I want to be a Springbok. Things did happen quickly. I think anyone who can use his opportunities, puts his mind to it and works hard, who wants to achieve it, can achieve it.
“It happened very quickly. One moment I was on the bench for Western Province and the next moment I’m playing in a final of the Currie Cup. I didn’t think I would start in Super Rugby, but I did and now I’m at the World Cup. Any guy who takes his chances can get to where he wants to be.”
Toast of the town
With things happening so quickly, he’s had to hit the turf running every time he’s gone up a level. “The gap in the level Test rugby is at and Super Rugby is really determined by who does their off-field preparation the best, and who executes on the day. That is the team that is going to be successful.
“We place a lot of emphasis on analysing other teams, it’s not something we do at Super Rugby level. That is something that I’ve developed.”
The try he scored against the All Blacks to help the Boks secure a draw in Wellington earlier this year made him the toast of the town.
It helped put his star in a steep upward trajectory, but he hasn’t thought too much of the illustrious company he is now up against at the Rugby World Cup (RWC).
“To be honest, I didn’t create any expectations of the RWC. I came here focusing on the team and what our goal is.
“So far it is a great experience. We’ve got a good group of players and that is what is making it special. As we’ve seen with the team selection this week, anyone in the 31man squad can play.”