Professional athletes are not immune to the temptations that are part of life and Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies should be applauded for fronting his issues with substance abuse, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Jantjies reportedly booked himself into a drug rehabilitation centre in a bid to “return to the field as a better man and player”.

“The fact of the matter is that I’ve haven’t played any rugby since the Rugby Championship and that I’ve kept my public and personal promise to get professional help and focus on my mental health, and to get my personal life and career back on track,” Jantjies told Rapport.

“It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I have continued training and am mentally and physically in a good space. I’ve received fantastic support from the therapeutic team I’ve worked with to ensure my personal wellbeing stays the top priority, and I know that it’s going to take hard work to get back on track. I am fully committed and hope to return to the field as a better man and player.”

Keohane lauded Jantjies for seeking help and tackling the issue head on.

KEO: Jantjies must be supported & not ostracised

“There must be no condemnation of Springboks flyhalf Elton Jantjies because of an addiction that led to him admitting himself to rehabilitation,” Keohane writes on Keo.co.za.

“Recreational drug use is a reality in life and elite sports people are a part of this life. It has always amazed me at how the alcohol binge-drinking culture in sport is supported so easily and excused, but the moment a player has an issue with a drug then the first instinct is to send that person to the darkest of places and view them as some sort of evil outcast.

“My point is that players take recreational drugs and players drink alcohol excessively. Both have consequences and there should be no distinction in what the player’s poison is when it comes to addiction. There should be intervention and there should be support.

“Jantjies has not officially been tested positive for anything and faces no ban from the sport. His fight now is with himself and getting himself into the healthiest mental and physical place.

“I hope he succeeds, is able to abstain in the biggest battle of his life, and is able to walk tall for all the right reasons, in life and as a professional rugby player.

“Players who stumble because of addiction must be helped and not ostracized.”

MORE: Elton checks into drug rehab

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