I'M A SITTING TARGET

An alleged affair, a rage incident and now a failed drug test - we sit down with Bok flyhalf Elton Jantjies to talk about it all

- MEGHAN LAWRENCE

A FLIGHT to France from Johannesburg takes just under 11 hours which, especially if you have an overnight flight, isn't too bad. Have some dinner, watch a movie, grab some sleep and the next morning you're there.

But for Elton Jantjies, getting on a plane to Paris will forever be an elusive dream at least as far as joining the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup is concerned.

The 33-year-old flyhalf was on the cusp of selection when he tested positive for the drug Clenbuterol and his rugby future now hangs in the balance.

It's the latest in a series of controversies swirling around him - allegations of an affair, an episode of rage on a plane and a reported breakdown in his marriage have ensured he hasn't been far from the headlines.

Now there's a drug scandal to add to the list. Elton issued a statement after news of the bust dropped and said he'd learnt of his positive test with "shock and sadness" - but apart from that he hasn't spoken out in public.

So when he finally agrees to see us and invites us to his home in Bryanston, Johannesburg, we arrange a date - and now here we are, driving through black gates up a long driveway to a double-story house.

His housekeeper welcomes us at the door and tells us to make ourselves at home because Elton is still getting ready. She gestures to a white leather couch in the spacious living room where a large bunch of pink roses has been arranged on the glass coffee table.

But when Elton appears from the second floor a few minutes later he doesn't want to sit in the lounge.

"Let's sit in that room," he says, leading the way. "This is my rugby room. This is Elton's space. If I have to work or be alone, this is where I come."