By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
A member of the South African rugby squad and the team’s dietician have been sent home from Argentina because of reports of an affair between the pair.
Elton Jantjies, the Springboks fly half, was reportedly seen with Zeenat Simjee at two different guest houses in Sabie prior to South Africa’s match against New Zealand last month in Mbombela.
South Africa, who are currently preparing for their Rugby Championship fixture with Argentina in Buenos Aires, announced the news in a brief statement.
SA Rugby’s statement said that although no team protocols were breached at the hotel around the New Zealand game on August 6, the duo would travel home.
According to Rapport, Jantjies, who is married with children, did not stay in the team’s hotel and instead booked a guesthouse during that Mbombela week.
It is also alleged that the 32-year-old did not pay the full R26,000 bill until the owners launched a complaint to the South African Rugby Union (SARU).
“The Springbok management are aware of reports regarding Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies and team dietician Zeenat Simjee between the training camp in Sabie and the Test match against New Zealand in Mbombela earlier this year,” read the SA Rugby statement.
No further comment will be made at this time.
The Springboks face Los Pumas at Estadio José Amalfitani in Buenos Aires on Saturday.