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Elton Jantjies (captain) of the Lions and Siya Kolisi (captain) of the Stormers during Saturday’s SuperFan match between Emirates Lions and DHL Stormers at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on September 26, 2020 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi / Gallo Images)
- Elton Jantjies is not focusing on the Springbok jersey when he faces Damian Willemse again this weekend.
- Both men, who will play in the Springbok Showdown, will be eager to atone for their unspectacular performances at Loftus.
- Jantjies praises the influence of the Lions’ strengthened senior group.
Elton jantjies has downplayed his battle with Damian Willemse at this weekend’s Springbok Showdown, reiterating that he’s not interested in focusing on matchups.
The Lions captain and flyhalf held firm, if unspectacular, behind a group that was stuck in reverse against a powerful, pedigree Stormers tight eight.
That gave Willemse, 22, a platform from which to dictate, which he largely failed to do.
The Stormers’ pivot kick was decent and he threw a flat, brilliant pass in a brilliant moment for try from center Dan du Plessis, but he still looked awkward and rushed his decision making.
Both men should be eager to be more influential at Saturday’s show at Newlands, with Jantjies in the Green team and Willemse in the Gold group.
But Jantjies emphatically doesn’t want to see it as a shootout for Springbok’s half fly jersey in the absence of Handre Pollard.
“I have always maintained that the game is not about individuals,” he said.
“Damian had a good game, especially early on. He kicked well. But for me, rugby is really about a team. Where can we improve our systems? It also has relevance at the Springbok Showdown.
“That’s how I am. I’m always learning and I tend to focus on myself and the team. It’s about what you can contribute.”
While Jantjies will undoubtedly put all his energy into this weekend’s proceedings, he’s also eager to get his franchise back on track after a poor performance at Super Rugby and a false start at Loftus last week.
He is greatly assisted in that regard by a senior group of players and leaders bolstered by the returns of Jaco Kriel and Ruan Dreyer, as well as the acquisition of Burger Odendaal.
“There is great leadership here. Burger was captain in the Bulls, Jaco’s pedigree is well known and Ruan brings a lot of experience from England,” Jantjies said.
“He can give the guys some insight into the Northern Hemisphere. This is how we go anyway. They’ve really adjusted well. They’re guys who feel comfortable talking. That’s really positive for us.”
