Northampton Saints scrumhalf Cobus Reinach has reiterated his desire to keep fighting to earn a Bok recall ahead of this year’s World Cup, writes CRAIG LEWIS.

Reinach, who earned the last of his 10 Test caps in 2015, has been in outstanding form for the Saints in recent weeks, claiming memorable intercept tries in wins over the Worcester Warriors and Exeter Chiefs.

WATCH: Another Reinach intercept try 

It’s been a timely reminder of Reinach’s enduring class after he missed out on selection for the Boks’ end-of-year tour despite a number of reports speculating that he was in contention for selection.

In the December issue of SA Rugby magazine, we caught up with Reinach prior to the end-of-year squad announcement, and he spoke passionately about doing everything in his power to keep knocking on the Bok door.

‘I’m like a little kid when I think of what it would mean to play for the Boks again, and it’s something I’m really fighting for,’ he commented.

‘I’m itching with desire to play Test rugby, and that’s why I’m so motivated to ensure that I’ll be ready, should the opportunity come. I haven’t played [for the Boks] for a long time, but that ambition is as strong as ever, so I’m really just putting in the work, and trying to be the best I can be so that I don’t disappoint.’

Reinach had looked in line to make the Boks’ 2015 World Cup squad, but ultimately Rudy Paige cracked the nod to provide back-up to the experienced Fourie du Preez and Ruan Pienaar.

The 28-year-old has not played for the Boks since 2015, having made the move to Northampton from the Durban-based Sharks in 2017.

Fellow overseas-based scrumhalf Faf de Klerk established himself as the Boks’ first-choice scrumhalf in 2018, while Embrose Papier, Ivan van Zyl and even Louis Schreuder have been the other locally-based halfbacks that Bok coach Rassie Erasmus has included in his squads.

Reinach has yet to get a look in, but is determined to keep performing for his English club in hopes of realising his World Cup dream.

‘I’ve been following every [Bok] game, and being the biggest supporter on the couch. The direction the team appears to be heading is very encouraging,’ he said.

‘Just to be in the squad would provide an opportunity to get your foot in the door, to put your name down and hopefully open a few eyes with the hope of getting into the final [World Cup] squad.’

Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images