Springboks: Herschel Jantjies reveals why the ‘fire is burning in him again’ ahead of Wallabies clash
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has recalled Herschel Jantjies to his starting line-up.
Springboks scrum-half Herschel Jantjies revealed that the “fire is burning in him again” ahead of Sunday’s one-off Test against the Wallabies in Perth.
Jantjies will make his 26th Test appearance when he forms a half-back partnership with experienced playmaker Handre Pollard in the eagerly anticipated encounter at the Optus Stadium.
The 30-year-old was recalled to the Springboks squad earlier this year and made his return off the replacements bench in the Nations Championship Test against Wales in Durban following a stint of being in and out of the world champions’ set-up since the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
A long time out in the cold
Prior to that, Jantjies made his last Test appearance against Argentina in August 2023 and he revealed that the lessons he had learned while being in and out of the squad taught him to be patient and make the most of the opportunities he receives with the Boks.
“I didn’t have the luxury of coming straight out of school and playing professional rugby, and I think that prepared me for where I am now,” said Jantjies, who made 21 Test appearances between 2019 and 2021, and only four in the next five seasons.
“It’s difficult once you are in the set-up to be left out because one dreams of it and playing in a Rugby World Cup. Obviously, I didn’t make the 2023 RWC squad, but I must give credit to the players who were there. They were amazing.
“That showed me and prepared me to understand that just as quickly as the good comes, things can go, so I’ll always work as hard as I can to be here.”
Jantjies, who left the Stormers to join Top 14 club Bayonne ahead of the 2025/26 season, said his move to France reignited his dream of playing Test rugby.
“It also added a new dimension to my game, and working with this group of coaches has also sparked that hunger again,” he explained.
“The fire is burning in me to play for this team even more and I feel like a young 20-year-old Herschel Jantjies again.”
Although Jantjies made his Test debut against Australia in Johannesburg seven years ago, he revealed that doing his best on the field overshadowed any emotions he may have about facing the Wallabies this weekend.
“My debut back in 2019 against Australia holds a lot of special memories, but it’s a long time down the line now and I was out of the mix for about three years, so the team I play against doesn’t really come along with emotion,” said the 2019 World Cup winner.
Keen to shine against the Wallabies
“I’m just really grateful for the opportunity, and hopefully I can go out this weekend and play to the best of my ability.”
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With the likes of Grant Williams, Morne van den Berg and Cobus Reinach in the current Bok squad, Jantjies said while the competition at scrum-half was healthy, training and playing with players of their calibre, and working with head coach Rassie Erasmus, and coaches such as Mzwandile Stick, Felix Jones and Jerry Flannery, was a special experience.
“A lot has changed in the team over the last few years – it’s incredible working with these coaches to see how they want to play the game, so this is a very exciting time for me,” he said.
“I’ve been with the squad for a while now, and I’ve learned a lot from the training sessions, sitting in the meetings, and talking to the other scrum-halves.
“To see how Morne (van den Berg) came on in the last Test against New Zealand and went about his work was amazing, and I’d like to go out this weekend and take the opportunity in a similar fashion.
“The competition among the number nines in the group is amazing and we always help each other where we can and challenge one another in a healthy way. They are all great players, and each one brings something special to the game.”