Elton Jantjies says he “fully understands and supports” the decision not to select him for the end-of-year tour.

On Tuesday, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus explained why Jantjies would not tour Europe with the Springboks in November.

“He hasn’t played any rugby [since leaving the squad in Argentina], so for us to be able to select him currently … we just haven’t seen him play.

“Given the wide reporting regarding my omission from the Springbok squad and clarification from the coaching staff that I was not up for selection for the November tour, I would like to place it on record that I fully understand [and] support the decision,” he wrote.

“The fact of the matter is that I have not played rugby since the Castle Lager Rugby Championship and that, in the last few weeks, I have kept to my public and personal promise to seek professional help and focus on my mental health to ensure that I get my personal life and career back on track. It was the best decision I’ve ever made.

“I’ve been training throughout, and I’m in a good space mentally and physically.

“I have received fantastic support from a therapeutic team with whom I have been working closely to ensure that my personal welfare remains my top focus and priority, and I know it will require hard work and a huge effort to remain on this path.

“However, I’m fully committed and hope to return to the rugby field as a better man and player.

“I have no doubt this decision will benefit me personally, my rugby career, my family, and SA’s faithful rugby supporters. Thanks, Elton Jantjies.”

https://

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Elton Jantjies (@eltonjantjies)