Elton Jantjies, the former Springbok flyhalf known for his rather messy love life and sports career, has a new woman in his life.
According to Jantjies and his new partner, Loren Jenneker, it was love at first sight.
Jantjies has been in the headlines over the past few months for everything from his sports career to messy personal life.
Initially, his new relationship seemed perfect, with Jantjies even booking an entire restaurant for a special date.
However, in December last year, things took a different turn. His former partner, Ashleigh Ogle, made serious allegations against him, including domestic abuse, substance misuse and stalking, within three months of dating.
Despite his rocky past, Jantjies, 33, says he knew Jenneker, 29, was special when he first saw her.
Jenneker, a professional model and former Miss SA finalist from Centurion, didn't know who Jantjies was when they met at a restaurant in Johannesburg.
Not much of a rugby fan, she recalled thinking, “Wow, what a nice man; a sweetheart”. They fell in love immediately and have been inseparable since.
Two weeks ago, they made their relationship Instagram official, sharing photos of their love.
Jantjies, who divorced Iva Ristic in 2019, is frustrated that people keep bringing up his past relationships.
He believes he is entitled to a chance at love with Jenneker and is open about his feelings for her because he doesn't want her caught up in "other people’s stories". The couple have been together for just more than a month.
Asked by “City Press” why he never announced his divorce was final, Jantjies said it was nobody's business and he prefers to focus on his new relationship.
"I was never in a relationship with anyone else. I was married, now I am divorced, and now I am happy with Loren," Jantjies stated.
He expressed frustration that Jenneker's family had to read misleading stories about him.
Jenneker finds it hard to understand why people say negative things about their relationship.
"Whatever happened in the past is not my business. It happened and it’s over now. I wasn’t there for that part," she said.
The couple have already met each other's families and received positive reactions.
Jantjies hopes people will leave him alone so he can focus on his return to rugby and his new love.