As a two-time Rugby World Cup (RWC) winner, it seems a universe away when Cobus Reinach couldn’t crack the Springboks squad.
Now aged 34, Reinach still remembers the heartbreak he felt when he missed out on the 2015 Rugby World Cup squad for the Springboks.
Reinach, though, became a key member of both the 2019 and 2023 conquests and he believes there is still more to come.
With Faf de Klerk currently battling injury, Reinach has claimed the number nine jersey for their Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
As a two-time Rugby World Cup (RWC) winner, it seems a universe away when Cobus Reinach couldn’t crack the Springbok squad.
— IOL Sport (@IOLsport) August 29, 2024
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‘Every player’s dream’
“I think 2015 when I didn’t make it, it was tough. It’s every player’s dream to make a World Cup. The year after I was still in South Africa when I did my ACL. It just felt like I needed a change so I went and played overseas to see the world and play with different cultures. It was good at that stage,” said Reinach.
In 2017, the Springboks did not allow players not playing domestically to represent South Africa unless they had already gained 30 caps, which effectively ruled the scrumhalf out. That was until Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus in 2019 saw to it that the rule was scrapped.
Despite being ineligible as Reinach plied his trade for Northampton Saints from 2017 until 2020, he always hoped he would wear the green and gold again.
“I never gave up on being a Springbok. I never gave up on going to the next World Cup, even though it didn’t look very bright at that stage when they brought in that cap rule. I was supporting them — sitting in the pubs every time when they played. I still wanted to be there. Luckily enough, Rassie came in and the rules changed. It was good for me, and I played good enough rugby for him to let me.
“Once you get in the squad with Rassie and you do your part, and give your all and you’re the squad player he needs … You’re going to stay there. You’re going to be there for the time you keep on doing it. Now that I’ve been there long enough for two World Cups and won it … it’s not over yet. There’s one more left.”