Reinach’s Saints exit confirmed

Published on

The Northampton Saints have announced that scrumhalf Cobus Reinach will leave the club at the end of the current European season.

The 29-year-old Springbok joined the English club in 2017. Reinach has become a cult hero at Franklin’s Gardens thanks in no small way to his 29 tries in just 70 appearances.

In fact, it was his excellent form for Northampton and a string of accolades in the English Premiership that earned Reinach a recall to the Springbok set-up, which ultimately resulted in him winning a World Cup-winners medal with South Africa.

Commenting on his decision to leave the club, Reinach said: ‘I love playing for Saints and living in Northamptonshire. We have a fantastic group of coaches and staff, and an exciting squad that I believe can challenge for the major honours, so this has not been an easy decision for me to make.

‘I’d like to thank everyone for making the last three seasons so memorable, I’ll be sad to leave some great friends and teammates. Saints will always have a special place in my heart and I look forward to giving everything I’ve got to make sure we finish the season with some silverware.’

Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd says he is sad to see their star player leave, but understands the reasoning behind Reinach’s decision.

‘While we’re disappointed to lose a player of Cobus’ quality, we respect that in the final years of his professional career he’s made a decision with the long-term future of his family in mind.

‘Saints supporters love watching him play, he has provided them with plenty of memorable moments here at Franklin’s Gardens.

‘Cobus is putting all his focus and energy into ensuring that Northampton have as much success as possible for the second half of the season, and we will wish him well after that.’

Prior to today’s announcement, rumours have been circulating that Reinach is set to sign a lucrative deal with French club Montpellier, where he’ll play alongside Handre Pollard, Frans Steyn, Johan Goosen, Jan Serfontein, Henry Immelman, Bismarck du Plessis, Jacques du Plessis, Nico Janse van Rensburg and Paul Willemse.

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

Post by

SA Rugby magazine