Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies denies going to rehab for drug abuse
"I can proudly say I have no mental health issues and I was never in a rehab centre for drug abuse."
Elton Jantjies has set the record straight on his alleged drug abuse issues.
In an interview with News24, the Springbok flyhalf said neither does he suffer from any any mental health issues nor was he ever in rehab for drug abuse.
“I also noted that I was portrayed to be a drug addict with mental health issues. I can proudly say I have no mental health issues, and I was never in a rehab centre for drug abuse,” Jantjies told the publication.
This comes after it was reported in October that the rugby player checked himself into a rehab centre.
Prior to that, it was announced that Elton won't be part of the Springbok training group for the team’s European tour in November.
Setting the record straight, the rugby player told News24 that he had checked himself into the Harmony Clinic rehabilitation centre in Cape Town "due to injuries sustained in January during a Boks game and to treat his insomnia, as he has been reliant on sleeping pills for most of his life".
READ: Elton Jantjies seeks help at rehabilitation centre
It was also reported that the Springbok flyhalf was involved in an extra-marital affair with the team's dietician, Zeenat Simjee. Although for the longest time he denied having the affair, in the recent interview with News24, he said he regretted cheating on his wife.
"This has not been an easy ride for me. I've had to take a really hard look at my life and the choices I made in the past. I know my actions have caused a great deal of pain to everyone, especially my wife who has always been by my side. I have apologised to her and have made it my mission to make it up to her for as long as I live," said the rugby player who was interviewed on his way to board a flight to Cyprus to be with his wife and three boys.
He also added that he is working on clearing his name and restoring his reputation.
"I am working on clearing my name of the slander I have been experiencing lately. I am deeply saddened that I was not cast to go and play with my team because of my injuries and because I did not get enough game time during the year," he added.
His wife, Iva Ristic, also spoke to the publication, and opened up about how the affair badly affected their family.
"These past few weeks and months have been a rollercoaster for us. I have had to move my kids out of their previous schools because of the media attention they were constantly receiving. It really has not been an easy ride for all of us, but our main priority right now is our kids. I am hurt and deeply disappointed in both of them. I understand that the affair has been going on for very long, but right now we just want to do right by the kids and move on. This chapter of our lives has been dragging on for too long and I just want it to be done so we can all move on," she told News24.
Iva added that although there will always be love between the two of them, she isn't sure what the future holds.
"I don't think I will ever be romantically involved with Elton again. Elton is not working right now as he just finished his 21 days in rehab for his injuries. So, we are focusing on him getting well to go back to his first love [rugby]. We don't know what the future will hold for us right now, but only time will tell. We speak every day, and there will always be love between us because I've practically known him most of my life," Iva told the publication.
READ: Jantjies apologises, but denies affair with team dietician