New Springbok star pays tribute to mentor

Springbok hero Conrad Jantjes thanked mentor Chester Williams for the role he played in keeping him composed ahead of South Africa's inspired 20-15 Tri-Nations win over world champions Australia on Sunday.

"Chester and I have been room-mates on numerous occasions and I spoke to him before the kick-off. He knows that I like to play an attacking game, but calmed me down and advised me to concentrate on doing the basics right first," said Jantjes.

"I knew I had to get into the game early and fortunately it happened when Wallaby centre Nathan Grey broke away and we ended up in a one-on-one situation where I tackled him."

Jantjes, 21, was a controversial inclusion at fullback in the Bok side in place of Percy Montgomery, but fully vindicated coach Harry Viljoen's selection with a man of the match performance.

The young star for Currie Cup team the Lions was secure in his fielding of the ball and positional play, got good distance on his kicks and also showed up well on attack when he beat Australia's defensive line with a chip and gather that might have resulted in a try had first five-eighths Butch James decided to shift the ball to his outside rather than opt for a cross-kick.

Viljoen had been slammed for the selection in the build-up to the test, with criticism ranging from "political correctness" to "inconsistency in his selection" as South Africa have not started consecutive tests this year with the same fullback.

Jantjes's original selection to the squad had also been widely criticised as he had played only a few Super 12 matches for the Cats, coming on as a substitute.

"I knew there would be a lot of pressure out there, particularly with all the talk of the 'not having played much Super 12' and being untested.

"I got a little sick of it and just switched off. I expected Australia would put more of the ball in the air, but they are a smart outfit and don't play one man," said Jantjes.

"I really want to give credit to the coaching staff. Harry said from the outset he had total confidence in me. Tim Lane and Les Kiss were also behind me. Michael Byrne also did a lot for my kicking while he was with us and I'm delighted that he's joining us in Perth," he added.

What makes the Jantjes success story all the more remarkable is the fact that he found himself at the centre of a quota controversy in last year's Currie Cup where he was allegedly told to leave the field after sustaining a minor blow so he could be replaced by Dean Hall.

"When I woke up (on the morning before the test), I had this strong feeling that I need to show what I was worth. After all, as a black player you will always be under scrutiny.

"When Johann van Niekerk was picked there wasn't nearly as much fuss as when it was announced that I would play fullback," he said.

He is not playing for the Lions in their Currie Cup match this weekend, forced to rest his slight knee twinge by the Springbok executive ahead of the trip to Australia and New Zealand.

But the young star he has yet to come to grips with his new found fame as a Springbok. "I still can't believe this, you know," he said.

"I haven't even had time to watch the game on tape yet. Things have happened so fast. (On Monday) the whole street came around to my parents' place."

Jantjes, who has represented South Africa in rugby, soccer and cricket at age-group level, said the victory had also provided the Boks with a timely lift ahead of the away leg of the Tri-Nations.

"There are still a few things on defence and we must build greater continuity.

"The interplay between the backs and forwards should also improve so we can bring our backs more into the game.

"We didn't play exactly the way we wanted to. The day it all goes right for us it will be a disaster for the opposition," he said.

- INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS (SOUTH AFRICA)