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Springbok team dietician Zeenat Simjee has been implicated in allegations of an affair with Bok flyhalf Elton Jantjies, who has not toured with the team due to the official stance that he hasn’t played enough rugby of late.
However, Simjee returned to the team setup for the end-of-year tour, with director of rugby Rassie Erasmus previously stating that there were no grounds to prevent her return to national duties.
Yet this past week Jantjies admitted to the affair in an explosive, and now according to Sport24‘s Khanyiso Tshwaku who is on tour with the team, Simjee was locked in meetings with SA Rugby president Mark Alexander and chief executive officer Jurie Roux on Wednesday evening.
The article states that one source suggested she could be set to return home on Friday, but this was not confirmed, while Alexander refused to publicly discuss the matter.
Simjee previously refuted the veracity of the original report
Last month, Jantjies said he is focusing on his mental health to ensure he gets his ‘personal life and career back on track’. Taking to social media recently, Jantjies also opened up on the Boks’ decision to not consider him for the end-of-year tour, saying he ‘fully understands’.
Before last month, Jantjies had not spoken publicly since issuing a statement several weeks ago, in which he took ‘full responsibility’ for his actions, but did not admit to any allegations of an affair. The dramatic statement came after the experienced flyhalf and Simjee had been released from the Bok camp after reports of an alleged tryst between the two.
However, in an interview with News24, Jantjies has now admitted to the affair, opening up about the pain caused and how he is working towards repairing the damage done. The article also states that he made the confession to his wife, Iva, who is also quoted in the article and states that they are unlikely to be romantically involved ever again.
Jantjies also said he had completely cut communication with Simjee, and reportedly added that he was “amazed” she was back in the Bok camp.
“At the end of the day what happened, happened. I am not proud of it, but I am learning to deal with it and start afresh. My family is my life and right now I am working on getting my rugby career back on track. This has honestly been one of the worst experiences of my life.”
Earlier this month it was reported that Jantjies had drawn interest from French club Toulon as they continued to search for a flyhalf recruit. That news came soon after it was rumoured that the experienced Springbok pivot could be asked to leave his Japanese club Urayasu D-Rocks before the end of the year, believed to be as a result of the recent allegations of an extra-marital affair.
According to highly-respected French publication Midi Olympique, Jantjies is soon set to be formally announced as a new signing by Toulon.
ALSO READ | ELTON JANTJIES OUT, ZEENAT SIMJEE RETURNS
Jantjies has continued to post regularly to his instagram account, showing him hard at work in the gym and doing various boxing sessions, which remains another sport that he is extremely passionate about.
His social media accounts have also shown him reunited with his family, while sharing message of love just several weeks after bombshell news related to the Bok flyhalf had come to light.
Below you can check out some of the latest social media images from Jantjies’ Instagram:
Recently it was also reported that Jantjies was reportedly treated for ‘drug addiction’ as part of the ‘professional help’ he has sought out. However, he said in the interview that he has “no mental health issues” and was never in a rehab centre.
Although he previously denied the affair in a statement, Jantjies said this was not written by him and that he regretted placing his trust on other to do “damage control” on his behalf.
ALSO READ | RASSIE ERASMUS COMMENTS ON ELTON JANTJIES SAGA