Elton Jantjies has issued a statement saying that while he accepts that he has brought disgrace to the Springbok jersey, he denies having an affair with the team’s dietician.
Jantjies returned home from the Bok squad after reported accusations of, among other things, having an affair with team dietician Zeenat Simjee.
According to an article in the Afrikaans weekly newspaper, Rapport, the 46-Test Bok pivot allegedly spent a romantic and tumultuous night with Simjee at a guesthouse in the week leading up to the Test against the All Blacks in Nelspruit in August.
It is unusual for players not to be lodged at the team hotel in the week of a match and, in this instance, Jantjies was allegedly with Simjee. The 32-year-old Bok playmaker is married to Iva Ristic, the mother of his three children.
Ristic has since responded to the allegations, slamming the Bok management team. “This is very concerning for all the Springbok wives as none of us was aware that this behaviour is actually not breaking any rules, and it’s taken so lightly,” she said.
“It’s very disappointing for a World Cup-winning management to allow situations like this to be created inside the team environment.”
Now, reportedly via a statement, Jantjies has denied having an affair with Simjee.
“The Springboks dietician Zeenat Simjee was never with me at either of the two guesthouses that I stayed at. She is a good friend and nothing more. That her good name is now being dragged through the mud is a shame,” as per his statement.
“I do not want to say much about the newspaper article, except that it contains many untruths and half-truths.
“I will now concentrate on getting my life and career back on track and wish to do so privately, so this will be my only statement on this matter.”
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Jantjies offered an apology and stated his regret, but did not admit to any of the allegations.
“I am aware that newspaper articles about my recent behaviour caused a lot of disappointment, distress, and anger to many people, and I apologise unreservedly to everybody I hurt or disappointed, my teammates, the Springbok management team, and SA Rugby. I also want to apologise to the management and squad of my club in Japan, NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes,” he said.
“I sadly let myself, my family, and the rugby-loving people of this country down, and I deeply regret my actions. I did not do the Springbok jersey proud.
“I take full responsibility for my actions, and I am serious about doing everything in my power to change my behaviour. I want to restore the confidence those closest to me once had in me and win back the trust of the public. I hope that I can rebuild those relationships that got damaged or broken.”
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Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
