Marcell Coetzee might be the main attraction from a Guinness PRO14 perspective when the Rugby Championship kicks off in Johannesburg but he is not the only player with experience of the league. Makazole Mapimpi turned a lot of heads in his season with the Toyota Cheetahs, scoring ten tries in 13 games. But it is the Springboks’ scrum-half, Herschel Jantjies, who has the most unlikely Guinness PRO14 tale. If we turn the clock back to the end of 2017, the Scarlets were midway through their tour of South Africa, fresh from a victory over the Southern Kings. That win had come at a cost with Jonny Evans injured in the 34-30 success. With Gareth and Aled Davies on international duty, that meant that Mike Phillips came out of retirement and off the bench and the following week he was promoted to the starting line-up. Wayne Pivac needed a back-up nine at short notice and signed up youngster Jantjies from the Stormers on a one-match loan. The then 21-year-old came on for Phillips to play the final 17 minutes of the game although he could not swing the game back the Scarlets’ way as they fell to a 28-21 defeat. Coincidentally Mapimpi also played in that game, although it was one of the rare appearances in which he did not cross the whitewash. That loss did not have undue consequences for the Scarlets, who went on to reach the Guinness PRO14 final, although they could not retain their title, falling to Leinster at the final hurdle. Jantjies, meanwhile, returned to the Stormers and has since gone on to establish himself as first choice for the Cape Town outfit. This weekend he will get his first taste of Test rugby as South Africa host Australia, partnering namesake (but no relation) Elton Jantjies in the half-backs. With Ulster’s Coetzee starting in the back row, a first cap in four years, there will be plenty of reason for Guinness PRO14 fans to keep a close eye on the action at Ellis Park.
