Elton Jantjies opens up on threats, fears, debts, family affairs

Last year was a nightmare for Elton Jantjies both on and off the field, with the 32-year-old having admitted to an affair with Springbok dietician Zeenat Simjee that has left his career and reputation in disarray.

It came after another off-field controversy that revolved around allegations of an altercation and disruptive behaviour on board a flight back to South Africa.

He has also battled to find any consistency on the rugby pitch, and missed out on the Springboks‘ World Cup squad earlier this month.

Jantjies now faces potential suspension after admitting to testing positive for the banned substance Clenbuterol, which is a fat-burning and asthma medication that also enhances stamina. However, he has denied knowingly taking the substance.

In addition to all of this, Jantjies and his former agent have been in a legal battle over an alleged £20,000 that was apparently unpaid after the first year of his contract with Japanese side Shining Arcs.

The former Bok flyhalf has now given a wide-ranging interview with the Daily Mail in which he discusses what he has been through.

“There was one specific voice-note I received which I’ll never forget. The guy said, “We will go and f***ing take his rugby boots. It was scary.

“With threats like that you have to be careful with your movements, especially in a place like Johannesburg. I contacted a few friends for protection. Now I’ve got bodyguards and security who can always be at my house if I need it. As a player, you don’t ever want to have to think about things like that.”

When asked about the alleged affair with Simjee and the continued support of his wife Iva Ristic, Jantjies said he didn’t want to open up on that again, but did highlight how a stint in rehab to help with insomnia.

“My wife stuck. She’s good. I was always very honest with her and she knows that. Her support is unbelievable. She’s a strong woman. The rehab is one thing I’ll speak about. It’s a medical thing and it was also a thing for me to stay out of the public eye and away from the media.

“I had a lot of private investigators on my back. I had a lot of people following me wherever I went. They were trying to follow me to see if Zeenat and I had a relationship. They weren’t things me, my wife, or my family wanted to have. Rehab gave me time to let it go for two weeks.

“It was to help with my sleeping. I focus on rugby 24/7 and struggle to sleep. It was the right time to go and rest. What happened put a big strain on my family. The rehab was good for me. But my family and friends went through a lot of strain.”

ELTON JANTJIES RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT

Recently, Jantjies also returned a positive result for a banned substance after being tested by the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport in June while he was part of the Bok setup.

His A urine sample apparently tested positive for clenbuterol, and he released the following statement below.

“It with no small amount of shock and sadness that I have to inform you that I received notification earlier this month, from the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport, that a urine sample that I had provided to them in June 2023, returned a positive test for a banned substance, Clenbuterol,” his statement reads.

“I have instructed legal representation to assist me in determining the source of the prohibited substance and I have instructed them to ask for my B Sample to be tested and to launch an inquiry into the possible causes for the positive test.

“At this stage I can say little more about the matter, save that I assure all my supporters that I have not and never will deliberately take a banned substance, and that I will do everything in my power to prove my innocence.

“This is another setback in what has been a very volatile time for me, but I shall overcome this with the support of my family and friends. I know that there will be those out there who doubt my innocence, but I hope to prove you wrong, in due course. For those who support me, thank you.”