The Elton Jantjes issue

I have reflected on this matter and have readjusted my former comments. Since then I have repented of my comments.

The reason is multifold :

1) He is a young man who has been traumatised by the loss of a parent. In this case his father...that plays havoc with you ...I was a lot older when that happened and it nearly f..... me up. In this case he is playing in strange territory with huge expectations. An impossible task.

2) He showed incredible talent as a junior with a failing Lions side.

3) He has guts and courage.

4) He needs time off from rugby. He is young and talented. But to ask him to perform at the moment especially with a new side at sixes and sevens is totally inhumane and unreasonable. We know he was expensive but that is not his fault...trading is done by the coach...Elton needs time off.

There are are a lot more reasons but I have said enough.

I would give him the time to find himself.

Good luck and sterkte Elton...I apologise that I've been one of those unfeeling and cruel arsheholes that should have known much better, I wish you well and the best and the loss of a good dad and mentor is a huge gap.

My prayers are for you. Prove them wrong.

From a Shark and Patrick Lambie supporter...knowing Patrick's character I'm positive he feels the same.

Really nice of you boet. And Pat as well. I am sure Elton would appreciate the sentiment.

Just to put the record straight...I do not know PL personally...during the RWC 2011 I met an uncle of his in a pub/restaurant and we shared a couple...I'm a bit of an arsehole sometimes and tend to strike up conversations with strangers...sometimes to my detriment but most times rewarding. This uncle of Pat's gave me the full story of Pat, his character, his faith in God being very deep and personal...not one of these Angus Buchan babblers or American TV preachers...but his own deep and personal faith. Patrick is very strong and true...he is a gem in a world that is completely escalating on a downward slope. I believed his uncle because directly or indirectly he was connected to the furniture... he was a pleasant man and the type not given to bullshit.

What I do know of Patrick is his record at school...a posh school that has produced great leaders in business, politics but has not produced Springbok rugby players...although some cricketers.

Patrick was head boy...rugby and cricket captain...the lighties under him virtually worshipped him. He is very rare he combines quiet strength  with gentleness and respect. He is the absolute opposite to arrogance.

He and his father have a strong and binding relationship...his dad played for Natal but retired after an injury...

Patrick would no doubt feel for Elton...there's no question about that...and Patrick is the type of sportsman although totally professional has a huge heart for others...incidentally so has the Tendai Beast.

Elton I hope you read this.

Seb

After reading the above I feel ashamed of my various comments on Jantjies.   I think that a person often forgets that a rugby player is also human and we then expect miracles.   Jantjies obviously is going through a very trying time in his life and one can only hope and pray he gets through it, find his feet and get back to playing good rugby.   He deserves that and the best in life.

I know some people who told me the same thing about Lambie - also his religious nature.   He is a real jewel of great moral value and must be a great team player.   By the way I see that Beast before the start of play always make the sign of the cross.

You really are a good person to get us back to reality.   Thank you very much.

That is true Mike great of you to acknowledge that. We as spectators and fans often forget that these guys are Human. We tend to forget that their personalitys differ as well and they handle stressfull situations differently. So yes. with regads to Jantjies. I really hope the kid can get his act together soon, but there is no point putting pressure on him, people hadle loss differently, some carry it and some can't This will be a defining time in his life.

Seb, I have never seen anything differently regarding Pat.

It's an absolute pleasure to hear these type of remarks...yes we can have our rants and fun but really not at the expense of hurting people ...rather uplifting them in times of need.

We'd probably find that some players might read constructive comments and with a little bit of luck might even join in.

But sometimes you read comments that are just downright nasty...stemmed with jealousy and spite.

It would be better if the moderator got involved here...I'm not suggesting to ruin the fun and raport and banter but derogatory comments from those who are just downright screwed up inside.

Rather we should place uplifting comments and encourage players...life is very short...we should remember that what goes around comes around.

All players actually have huge merit...they have achieved huge accolades to even get in sides as the S15...it does not matter if they are Sharks, Stormers, Cheetahs, Crusaders,Chiefs, Hurricanes, Blues,Brumbies, Reds, Bulls or even Rebels.Highlanders or Kings.

They are all great guys that entertain us and put their bodies on the line.

Elton...all the best China...I would love you to achieve your goals.

Seb its always good when a villain like you and ou maaaike repent and shows a brief moment of compassion.

However you are of course entirely wrong about moderation here. This board is moderated very well. We have minimal interference which is great. It allows other villains such as rooitwit and black udder to continue with us!

Some of us know a board where they moderated a host of posters off the board and the pals of these guys left in disgust. Posts were interferred with and moved and all the ducks had to be in a row. It was sanitary but boring.The result was they were left witha lot of obsequies dead ducks 9not all) posting there who behaved exactly as they were told to do listening to exactly what the baa ass laid down as law!  We have some of these bored ss moles visiting us from time to time too cowardly and scared to reveal themselves lest they fall foul off the gestapo running the show.  Man how pathetic is that what a laught though

We had a guy here called Bokkilla who was a nasty piece of work - not in this case a dispicable ss mole. After consistent and continual abuse he was banned. That to me is the criteria. Consistent and continual abuse with no redeeming qualities. 

Sebastien we are not a vicars tea party here. Great fun is to be had through a litle argie bargie and I particulary enjoy taking down chest beating sharkies like ou maaaikie etc. Take Moz and Saffex. Getting along fine now. A mod could have interferred and one or other could be gone by now depending on the bias of the mod - if one was on ss board and suffering their very immature and biased moderation. Generally and for the vast majority of cases the board itself sorts things out. We are fortunate here that our Mod has a good sense of how to manage the board.

No the board is well moderated.

As to Jantjes all here, especially those who have lost fathers, have comapssion for him. However that does not equate to the full reason why jantjes is playing poorly. The concern about jantjes for me and a number of others has always been his decision making. Has he the head to play flyhalf. Take his passing - some great ones but many hospital ones - very poor passes. This could indicate he does not have the mind to make those judgement calls that well. Could he be trying to play like King Carlos but without quite have the rugby brain to do so?