Springbok scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies is excited about his return to the national team. He will play in his 26th Test against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday morning. Jantjies has fought his way back into coach Rassie Erasmus' squad this season for the first time since his last appearance in August 2023 against Argentina. His return to the squad earlier this season came after a spell where he was in and out of the set-up since the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Jantjies attributes his patience and perseverance to his unconventional rugby journey. He did not have the luxury of coming straight out of school and playing professional rugby, which he believes prepared him for his current situation. During his time out of the squad, Jantjies learned to be patient and make the most of opportunities whenever they presented themselves. He also gave credit to the players who were part of the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad, calling them amazing.
Jantjies' move to French club Bayonne reignited his dream of playing Test rugby and added a new dimension to his game. Working with the current group of coaches has sparked his hunger to play for the Springboks again. He feels like a 20-year-old again, with the fire burning in him to play for the team even more. Jantjies made his international debut against Australia seven years ago, scoring two tries, but he said doing his best on the field overshadows any emotions he may have about playing against the Wallabies.
The competition at scrumhalf in the current Bok squad is healthy, with Grant Williams, Morne van den Berg, and Cobus Reinach also vying for the position. Jantjies described training and playing with players of their calibre and working with Erasmus and coaches such as Mzwandile Stick, Felix Jones, and Jerry Flannery as a special experience. He has learned a lot from training sessions, meetings, and talking to the other scrumhalves.
Jantjies is eager to make the most of his opportunity against Australia. He cited Morne van den Berg's performance in the last Test against New Zealand as an example of how he would like to go out and take the opportunity. The competition among the No 9s in the group is amazing, and they help each other where they can and challenge one another in a healthy way.
A lot has changed in the team over the past few years, and Jantjies is excited to be part of it. He finds it incredible working with the coaches to see how they want to play the game. This is a very exciting time for him, and he is grateful for the opportunity to play for the Springboks again.
Jantjies will look to make a positive impact against Australia and play to the best of his ability. His return to the squad and the team has been a long journey, but he is focused on the present and taking his chance to shine. With a healthy competition for the scrumhalf position, Jantjies is ready to give his best and make a meaningful contribution to the team.
Key points
- Herschel Jantjies is competing with Grant Williams, Morne van den Berg, and Cobus Reinach for the scrumhalf position in the Springboks.
- Jantjies has fought his way back into coach Rassie Erasmus' squad this season for the first time since his last appearance in August 2023 against Argentina.
- Jantjies' move to French club Bayonne reignited his dream of playing Test rugby and added a new dimension to his game.
