IRFU block Ulster advances for Springbok fly-half Elton Jantjies

Ulster Rugby are understood to have explored the possibility of signing Springbok fly-half Elton Jantjies but their advances have been dashed by the IRFU because he is not an Irish qualified player.

The 27-year-old has been a influential figure in South African rugby for the past number of seasons, earning 23 caps for the Springboks and leading the Lions to back-to-back Super Rugby finals in 2016 and 2017. Jantjies’ contract with the Lions runs until the end of the 2018 Super Rugby season and the Northern province are keen to secure his services.

Jantjies made his international debut in 2012 and is seen as a playmaker in the mould of Wallaby Christian Leali'ifano, who signed for the province on a short-term loan deal from the Brumbies last season.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, IRFU performance director David Nucifora appears reluctant to sanction the transfer as he hopes Leinster's Joey Carbery will make the move north in order to secure more game time at fly-half coming into a World Cup year. 

Ulster managed to secure top-flight European rugby next season and bringing in an experienced international such as Jantjies would be a major boost for the club as they rebuild under incoming head coach Dan McFarland.