Elton ready to rocket Lions to Stormers win
LEANER, faster, stronger. That’s the new Elton Jantjies, who’ll make his first start for the Lions when they host the Stormers in a Super Rugby match at Ellis Park tomorrow.
“I’m four to five kilogrammes lighter since going to Japan and it’s all about power for me now. I feel sharp,” said the 24-yearold to much laughter.
Jantjies is indeed trimmed down since his last run out in Super Rugby – against the Cheetahs at the end of the last Super Rugby competition – but he’s also brimming with a new-found confidence. And, he’s hoping this will rub off on his teammates as the Lions look to bounce back following back-to-back defeats against the Hurricanes and Sharks.
“It’s now about me doing my things for the team and the performance will speak for itself,” he said yesterday after being named ahead of Marnitz Boshoff in the Lions starting XV. “If the opportunity presents itself I’ll bring something special.”
After Boshoff ’s struggles in the No 10 jersey in recent times, much of the focus tomorrow will indeed be on Jantjies. But it’s something the youngster is relishing. “I was given a lot of responsibil- ity at my club in Japan and enjoyed it. I was allowed to express myself and learn and I feel mentally refreshed coming back now.
“I battled with injury last year and having to have a shoulder operation didn’t help. But I’m injury free now and feel really good. I want to do my talking on the field though.”
While keen to stamp his authority on the game this weekend and show the public he’s far from a spent force – he did, after all, earn his only Bok caps to date in 2012 – he says the most important aspect for the team as a whole is to follow their processes. “Our focus is on one thing only and that’s the team being on the same page.
“Our beliefs are the same (despite the two losses), but crucially we need to build our confidence during the game and not look for a win to get it back.
“We were one of the best scrumming sides last year, but now we’re up against a Stormers pack that has dominated in the set pieces ... so it’s going to be a great challenge for us. But we must just keep believing and bring some excitement so we can make ourselves proud, and our families, friends and supporters.”