WHEN Conrad Jantjes says there's a rugby revolution going on in South Africa that threatens football as the sport of choice, we should listen.
Jantjes might be biased as he declares these thoughts, wearing his Springboks training kit. But this is a guy who knows a thing or too about the round-ball code, as well. He trialled with glamour English club Chelsea as a teenager and also earned junior South African honours.
This remarkable athlete was also a South African junior cricket representative so he's a good barometer for the sporting climate in the republic.
Now 28 and having first played for the Boks in 2001, Jantjes isn't exactly the fresh face of the new era that has dawned on South African rugby.
But he very much reflects the changing face of the game there as the transformation process really speeds up, with the Boks settling into life under their first non-white coach, Peter de Villiers - a diminutive man with a larger-than-life character.
Jantjes was born in Boksburg and played most of his rugby in Johannesburg. He switched to Cape Town two years ago where he has resurrected his Springboks career with some standout performances for Western Province and the Stormers.
He wasn't at last year's World Cup but he has seen the effect winning that title for the second time has had on the game in South Africa.
"What happened last year has done so much for the game in South Africa," he says.
"Whereas soccer used to be the No. 1 sport, I can honestly say that I think now it's rugby. From visiting schools during the Super 14 you could see enthusiasm from the guys, especially the black community, wanting to play rugby.
"As Springboks we must realise what a responsibility we have got to keep on growing that legacy and make kids want to play."
The sceptics saw de Villiers's appointment to replace World Cup winner Jake White as one that was made with political overtones, especially after he beat the then Super 14-winning coach Heyneke Meyer for the job.
Jantjes scoffs at that: "I think we are way past that stage already.
"I don't think it was a major issue. Peter has done his time with the under-19s, the under-21s and South Africa A. People would have had a problem if he had come out of nowhere to coach the Springboks."
And Jantjes knows de Villiers and his methods well, having been part of his national age-division set-ups.
"I don't think there are many things that get Peter down," he says. "I was lucky to play under him in the under-19s. I remember my experiences from there - he's a very cheerful guy. He knows how to manage his players. More importantly, any player just wants honesty and he's always said he has an open-book policy."
Springboks captain John Smit joins the praise for de Villiers: "Peter's biggest attribute is the kind of person he is towards the squad and how he treats the guys. I can see that has already had a positive effect on the guys who have been around for quite some time, and the youngsters as well. He has got an amazing ability to mix from No. 1 to No. 28.
"He's not big … but he is loud."
With natural athleticism, growing opportunities and encouragement, the coloured players have the potential to influence the game in South Africa as much as Polynesians have dominated the New Zealand scene.
They are already on the march. De Villiers's squad of 33 players this year has included 11 players of coloured decent. Graham Henry has used 13 Maori or Polynesian players in the All Blacks this season. In last night's opening Tri Nations Test, the Boks fielded eight coloured players in their 22, the All Blacks had 10 Maori or Polynesian players in their squad.
De Villiers has spoken of his desire to try to bring an All Blacks-like approach to the Springbok playing style, believing South Africa have the players to open up their game from the traditional and successful 10-man approach.
Marvellous runners like Jantjes, Bryan Habana and Odwa Ndungane have the ability to deliver that style.
Mid-winter nights in New Zealand mightn't be the best times to showcase it, but Jantjes is excited by what's going on around him.
"Since the first day we got together, Peter de Villiers told us that he'd like us to enjoy ourselves a bit more and throw it [ball] around. It's Test match rugby and you win by one point you take it. But we also enjoy scoring tries."
Jantjes has seen this approach reflected at junior playing levels.
"Of all the schools I've been to, it's been great to see the guys running with the ball rather than kicking at the posts all day," he says.
"I'm hoping that's the new breed coming through."
Right now Jantjes is playing his own role in this changing of the guard. He's been entrusted with a green No. 15 jersey that had been plastered on Percy Montgomery for almost 12 years. Montgomery can kick but Jantjes can run.
"That's huge," Jantjes says.
"He's got 90-odd Tests. If I can only achieve half of what Percy has I think I'd be quite satisfied."
