/ 18 September 2013

Jantjies, Van der Merwe renew contracts with Lions

Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies has returned to play for the Lions.
Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies has returned to play for the Lions. (Gallo)

Elton Jantjies and Franco van der Merwe signed new two-year contracts with the Lions after spending last season out on loan, the players' management agency said on Wednesday.

Jantjies was loaned to the Cape Town-based Stormers after the Johannesburg-based Lions were relegated from Super Rugby in 2012.

Van der Merwe went to the Durban-based Sharks.

Management agency In Touch Sports said on its official Twitter feed that Jantjies and Van der Merwe were among a group of players to recommit to the Lions after the team won back its place in Super Rugby by beating the Southern Kings in a play-off series last month.

The 23-year-old Jantjies has played two tests for South Africa but dropped out of the Springbok squad this season after struggling for form during his time at the Stormers.

Back Lionel Mapoe, who like Van der Merwe has been called up to South Africa's squad but has no test caps, returned to the Lions on a two-year deal after playing for three-time Super Rugby champions the Bulls last season, In Touch Sports said.

Reports in South Africa say the Lions are trying to sign prop Bees Roux on a permanent contract after he joined on a short-term deal for the domestic Currie Cup.

Roux, a former Bulls player, pleaded guilty to a culpable homicide charge for beating to death a traffic policeman in Pretoria in 2010 and was given a five-year suspended prison sentence, after which he left to play rugby in France and Italy. – Sapa-AP