Cobus Reinach looks set to miss out on selection for the Springboks’ World Cup squad, writes CRAIG LEWIS in Durban.

Reinach has come on as a replacement in all four Tests this season, having featured in 10 games for the Boks since making his debut against Australia at Newlands last year. However, indications are that he will not make the final cut for the 31-man squad to be announced on Friday, with the Bulls’ Rudy Paige likely to crack the nod instead.

Reinach, who watched the Sharks training from the sidelines on Thursday, would then be set to return to Currie Cup duty from next week.

‘I guess we could possibly have Cobus available [for the rest of the Currie Cup] considering he was around here today,’ Sharks coach Gary Gold said when the question was put to him at a press conference at Kings Park.

‘I’d imagine he wouldn’t be around here if he was part of the Springbok plans, which is terribly disappointing for him. But there were guys who were always going to lose out, it’s a tough place for Heyneke [Meyer] at the moment. My feelings are with him, we were there four years ago and it’s extremely sad to have to leave players out, especially of Cobus’s quality. If he does get left out, it will be the Springboks’ loss, but our gain.’

Frans Steyn is another player looking unlikely to make the World Cup squad, but he has taken up a contract with a Japanese club and would not return to the Sharks.

‘The Japanese contract stipulates that after Super Rugby, he is either available to play international rugby or his Japanese club will want him there.’

It's also believed that Heinrich Brüssow and Marcell Coetzee will not be in the World Cup squad, with five specialist loose forwards set to be included, while Pieter-Steph du Toit is likely to add utility value as a lock who can also cover flank.

Photo: Paul Ellis/Getty Images