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Jantjes to cement his place
02/11/2005 21:45 - (SA)
Herbert Pretorius , Die Burger
Buenos Aires - After four years in the international rugby wilderness Conrad Jantjes is determined to cement his place in the Springbok team.
The utility Lions back has been included in the Bok starting lineup for Saturday's Test against the Pumas the first time since the Test against the US at the end of the 2001 season.
National coach Jake White said the player told him that he did not want to lose his place in the national team again.
"I've known Conrad since he was in Std 8, but what has impressed me of late is how mature he's become as a player," the coach said.
This did not come about by accident.
Jantjes said he realised last year that he was not doing enough to get back into the team.
"I saw how the guys excelled in the Tri-Nations series and I wanted to be part of that. I changed my training routine drastically. I spent more time in the gymnasium, because I knew Jake likes big, physical players.
"I changed my diet to lower my body fat and started doing my homework. I used to switch off after a match, but nowadays I watch a video of my game on a Sunday morning.
"I know how stingy Jake is with places in the Bok team and I knew I had to work harder than the incumbent players."
Jantjes said he followed the example set by his wing team-mate, Bryan Habana.
Jake does not close the door
"Bryan went crazy in the gymnasium last year and just look what he has achieved.
"Although Jake is the first Bok coach in a long time who does not select a new team after every Super 12 series or at the end of the year, he is also not someone who closes the door on players who work hard and consistently play well."
Jantjes previously played mainly fullback for the Boks, but he is also comfortable at wing.
"I'm not worried at all that my speed will be a problem in this position. I played wing for the Cats in the Super 12 series this year and didn't perform too badly against a guy like Sitiveni Sivivatu (the All Blacks speedster).
Referring to the Test against the Pumas, Jantjes said the Boks will have to make sure they get the upper-hand in the first 20 minutes.
"We must disrupt their first phase as soon as possible, because as soon as these guys think they have an opportunity to win, you are in big trouble."
Jantjes has gained a lot of experience in the 30 Super 12 matches and more than 50 Currie Cup matches since he has played Test rugby four seasons ago and hopefully it will help him in this new chapter of international rugby.
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