Flyhalf Elton Jantjies has revealed why he agreed to a contract extension at the Lions despite receiving several lucrative offers from overseas clubs.
At the conclusion of SA Rugby’s 21-day contract exit window, the Lions parted ways with Malcolm Marx, Ruan Vermaak, Tyrone Green, Shaun Reynolds and coach Neil de Bruin. And more recently, assistant coach Joey Mongalo left the union to join Jake White’s Vodacom Bulls.
Jantjies, however, opted not to enact the 21-day exit clause, turning down offers from French clubs Agen and Pau to stay in Johannesburg.
Speaking to Netwerk24, Jantjies revealed the reasoning behind this.
‘I don’t play rugby for the money,’ he said. ‘I play rugby for the right reasons and money is definitely not one of them.
‘The Lions team is special to me and it’s where my heart is. I’m part of the Lions’ leadership and I’m not going to make a quick decision and turn my back on the union in pursuit of money,’ he added.
‘I feel like my career is on track at the Lions and the Springboks and that’s why I have no ambition to go play abroad. Of course, I’d have earned a lot more in France, but that’s not what it’s about for me. I know others have different opinions on this matter and some would say it’s dumb of me not to have taken the opportunities presented to me to earn a bigger salary. But I’m enjoying my game here in South Africa, this is where I want to be.
‘Things like security, family life and other factors played a role in my decision and I’m very satisfied with the choice I made.’
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
