Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies has been sent home from Argentina after finding himself at the center of another controversy.
Just months after making headlines when he was detained at OR Tambo International Airport for behaving in an unruly manner and harassing a female flight attendant on a passenger flight back to South Africa, Jantjies is now alleged to have gotten involved in an affair with the Boks’ team dietician Zeenat Simjee.
According to an article in Sunday newspaper Rapport, the pair allegedly spent a night together at a bed and breakfast in the week leading up to the Test against the All Blacks in Nelspruit last month.
Jantjies is married to Iva Ristic and has three children with her.
The Springboks released a short statement confirming that they were aware of the reports, though they said no team protocols were breached.
South African rugby stunned by scandal after fly-half Elton Jantjies and dietician Zeenat Simjee are sent home amid reports they were having an affair https://t.co/V8wFq4GIOc
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) September 12, 2022
Nevertheless, they also confirmed that both Jantjies and Simjee were returning to South Africa to eliminate “any possible distractions” ahead of Saturday’s important clash against Argentina.
“The Springbok management are aware of reports regarding Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies and team dietician Zeenat Simjee between the training camp in Sabie and the Test match against New Zealand in Mbombela earlier this year,” the statement read.
“No team protocols were breached, but the individuals are returning to South Africa to attend to these personal reports and to eliminate any distractions to the team’s preparations for the Test against Argentina.
“No further comment will be made at this time.”
Elton Jantjies has been sent home from the Springbok squad in Buenos Aires amid accusations of inappropriate behaviour as the world champions prepare for a decisive Rugby Championship match against Argentina. https://t.co/yf9latl3rg
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) September 11, 2022
Meanwhile, Jantjies broke his silence in a cryptic message on social media on Sunday night, saying he would prefer to stay quiet rather than lash out in anger.
“I prefer to distance myself whenever I’m mad to calm my mind otherwise I become the most heartless person you’ll ever meet,” he wrote.
With his position in the Bok setup already tenuous, Jantjies’ international career could be over if the reports turn out to be true.
