WP and sharkies in race for Jantjies signature

Ex Supersport

The Sharks and Western Province lead the race for the signature of Elton Jantjies to join them for next year’s Vodacom Super Rugby series.

Jantjies has been spotted in Durban and Cape Town in the last few weeks and will make a decision as to his future in the next few weeks after the Lions were ejected from next year’s tournament.

The talented flyhalf has a clause in his contract that allows him to play his rugby elsewhere in Super Rugby while keeping his contract with the Lions, returning for the playoff matches and Currie Cup tournament in 2013.

But for now, the hunt for his services is possibly the most eagerly anticipated player chase in the country at the moment and Jantjies is dead set on playing Super Rugby -- the question remaining being where?

While WP have made a lucrative offer for him to move to Cape Town, the Sharks officials meet with their Lions counterparts today (Wednesday) to ensure that if Jantjies does make the move, the Lions can bring him back for their anticipated playoff game against the lowest ranked South African franchise at the end of the tournament next year.

Jantjies was called up to the Springboks this year, but despite being on the bench in the third test in Port Elizabeth, never got onto the field, and was subsequently dropped afterwards when the team was selected for the Castle Rugby Championship, with fellow young gun Johan Goosen being preferred by coach Heyneke Meyer.

Since then he has shone in the Currie Cup, and was instrumental in his side’s victories over Western Province and the Blue Bulls, reminding all and sundry of his exceptional attacking abilities.

Jantjies's agent, Jason Adams, confirmed to supersport.com that no decision on his future had been made yet.

“We have a number of options on the table and we will sit down in the next week or so and take a decision as to his future,” Adams told supersport.com.

If it were long term WP would be better for Jantjies as Lambie will probably be the sharks flyhalf and for us Grant is getting on. However my guess is that the sharks have more money - the WP clubs having looted the larder. Seems too that this is a short term contract.

We shall see.

So much for Lambie. Unable to displace a Frenchman six years past his best and now Plum wants the first real long term 10 he can get his hands on. Love it!

Plums plan is for Lambo to develop as a 15, which i totally agree with.

Now... watch... Jantjies with a decent 8,9,12 will be awesome!

We dont realise how much talent and skill the guy has...

We keep judging him in his games for the Lions, but that isnt fair as he cant show his full repitour in that side.

Believe me, when someone like King Carlos can come out and say that he has the potential to be a great.... one needs to stand up and take note!

Jantjies will excel at either Sharks or WP.

he is just too good to ignore.

Flash I think your take on Jantjies has merit. He has, as you note,  played some great games in a relatively poor side.

I have my doubts though about Lambie as a 15. I sense he is not the worlds most physical player. What in my view he does have is a very good rugby brain and some silky skills. A cool temprment that will do well at the decision making role of flyhalf. But as with Coenie, Meyer may be asking he goes to 15 as Goosen is the man for flyhlaf. Maybe Taute and Lambie ar being earmarked for 15 and Goosen and Jantjies at flyhalf?

I do hope that these sort of issues are being considered an da plan is being put in place. Often things are not sorted out in a manner that benefits the test side best - which should be the case.

Beeno

Do they really want to sign up Earl - the second.   Jantjies is a serious liability for any team to have - they can spend there money much better.   Hope the Sharks and Stormers are NOT stupid and sign that one up.   Would be their worst buy this past decade.   If they could - they really should sign up Taute.

from what i heard elton is a sure bet for wp. the sharks offer is better for the lions but his signing will very much be a short term one so i hope he goes to the wp i dont want hims near my sharks team. give me a goosen any day. goosen and taute should be on the sharks shopping list

 Trust WP sign him as I would be disapointed to see him in Black and White.

This guy got yanked against Griquas and the Lions immediately played much better. A fine boot and thats all. Even the youthful bit of running he does will be crushed in time and he will evolve into a Grant/Morne style player.

spot on moz....he will be turned into yet another robotic player by the fleck's backline school of stuff ups.

same as grant that showed promise that promise never ever developed into anything usefull

No question about it Taute is the man we want down here moree than any other Lions player.

This Jantjies business will be settled finally next year if he plays for  a decent franchise. He now has the experience and would need to prove he has it.

A that frenchman you mention Card played for France this year did he not. Very competent player.