Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies has been included in the starting 15 for South Africa’s clash against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday. His selection will offer the team a fresh attacking impetus and he has the full support of coach Jaques Nienaber and his teammates. According to Springbok coach Jaques Nienaber, Elton Jantjies’ more subtle distribution skills and deft decision-making is an ideal fit to counter Scotland, one of the best defensive teams in the northern hemisphere.
Jantjies has been included in the starting line-up to execute a specific game plan and not necessarily to stick to a pattern.
“Yeah I know it sounds like a cliché but I’ve always said it’s not about me as an individual, it’s about the team but yeah the responsibility is on me to lead the boys in certain aspects of the game and to make sure we execute the things that we have been working on as a group, making sure we aligned in that and it’s my responsibility. It’s just about us focusing on Scotland and not too much on the past because it’s a different challenge,” says Jantjies.
Countering Scottish playmaker and fly-half Finn Russell will be crucial for South Africa in Saturday’s test. Russell landed the winning penalty against Australia last weekend, securing their 15-13 victory. He also rallied the British & Irish Lions backline in the first half of the third Test against the Springboks back in August.
“We have all seen what he’s capable of in the last test against the British and Irish Lions. He made a big difference and challenged our group in a different way for us it’s about focusing on our systems working together as a group and making sure we stop whatever throwing at us. It’s a different-looking Scotland team than the one we played in 2018, similar management but what they give is different challenges, younger players that will be full of energy playing against the Boks the world champions will motivate other teams. We are just looking forward to Saturday,” Jantjies explains.
The Boks hope they are not be caught cold by a red hot Scottish outfit which is quickly making a name in World Rugby. Kick-off in Edinburgh on Saturday is at 3pm South African time.
