Cape Town - Former Springbok flyhalf Errol Tobias believes Elton Jantjies needs to be given time to prove himself in the national team.
Jantjies has copped flak for his inconsistent performances in recent times, but Tobias has urged fans to be patient with the Bok playmaker.
In an interview with Netwerk24, Tobias said Jantjies deserves at least two more Tests to stake a claim.
If his performances are still below par, then questions about the coaching need to be asked, Tobias said.
“Go look at the flyhalves who played before Elton. Pat Lambie and Handre Pollard were not complete flyhalves, they also had limitations. So why put Elton under so much pressure when he’s only played in three Tests under Allister Coetzee?” Tobias questioned.
“We know that when you move from any level to Springbok level, it’s a different kind of pressure. I don’t believe there is a problem with Elton’s mental preparation before Tests. But the question needs to be asked if he’s good enough to perform consistently at Test level.”
According to Tobias, Jantjies’ inability to kick with his right foot is being exposed by opponents.
“He positions himself wrong when kicking with the right foot. He’ll have to work on it, because he betrays himself when he kicks with the right foot.”
Jantjies’ halfback partner Faf de Klerk has been lauded for his performances in recent times and claimed the man-of-the-match accolade in last weekend’s 30-23 comeback win over Argentina in Nelspruit.
But Tobias believes there are weaknesses in De Klerk’s game which puts Jantjies under pressure.
“As lively as he is at scrumhalf, his feet aren’t always placed in the right position when passing to Elton under pressure.
“We shouldn’t be sentimental here, but the truth speaks for itself. Faf is not good with his feet. He can’t relieve pressure off Elton with tactical kicking and he’ll have to work on it,” Tobias noted.
“I’m appealing to South Africans to look at Elton in a balanced way as a flyhalf, but they have to realise Faf also has limitations.”
