Elton Jantjies says his drive to be in the Springbok squad to front the British & Irish Lions led to his decision to play in the French Top 14.
Last week, the Lions confirmed that their captain and incumbent flyhalf would be joining Pau as a ‘medical joker’, a term used to describe a player who joins on a short-term loan deal as injury cover.
While the deal is not permanent, it will ultimately be aimed at ensuring that Jantjies is at peak fitness by the time the Test series against the B&I Lions starts in July.
Speaking to AFP, Jantjies explained why he had opted for this opportunity.
‘It was something I discussed with the Springbok and Lions management and it was a good opportunity for me,’ he explained.
‘Playing in the Top 14 is something I’m really looking forward to in preparation for the British and Irish Lions,’ he said.
‘It’s [Lions Test series] a massive motivation. It comes every 12 years, it only comes once or maybe twice in a career. It’s something as a schoolboy you dream of.
‘It is to give myself a big challenge for that big tour. It’s nothing against the Rainbow Cup or anything in South Africa.’
‘If I perform well for Pau and during the Springbok preparation the jersey is in the coaches’ hands. I’m not an individual-based guy. I have to reach my own individual standards and it makes me happy.’
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