Cobus Reinach is the first South African to feature in one of our many promised new ideas this year where will look at fellow South Africans roaming the world outside of our beautiful country. Who they are as well as headlining the standout performer after every round. We will look to feature a different player every week.
From his magnificent hat-trick in Kobe versus Canada to eventually winning the Rugby World Cup, Cobus Reinach has been unstoppable ever since his triumph in the back ends of 2019.
The Springbok scrumhalf joined Northampton Saints from Super Rugby’s Cell C Sharks in the summer of 2017, with the Saints looking for someone to not only take control of their backline, but someone who totally dictated the game.
Considered the fastest man in rugby, the Bok was on top form again this week, but this time sadly being on the wrong end of the win. Saints fell short 16-20 at home after leading 13-8 at halftime to a struggling London Irish outfit, but Reinach finished the game stamping his authority on a tough bout.
After flooring Aussie scrumhalf Ben Meehan in the 14th minute with a huge hit, sparking a rivalry in the game, Reinach was at the epicentre of the match early on. The matchup clearly became too much for Meehan when he dump tackled Reinach in the 26th minute, landing the Bok 9 on his back, temporarily winding his opponent and earning him time in the bin with a yellow card. Many arguing it should have been red, as replays suggested Reinach narrowly missing the post with his head.
The ace finally had his say just before the end of the first half, scoring his 4th Gallagher Premiership try this season for the Saints in the 34th minute. Tailing the defence and sneaking through on the blind side corner. Reinach also made an incredible try saving tackle in the 69th minute denying Hassle-Collins his second try of the game and the second for the visitors. Tackle of the season no doubt!
Excellent try saving tackle from @c_reinach 🔥🔥 #SaffasAbroad pic.twitter.com/lwE9LoyWnc
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) January 25, 2020
Fellow Saffa Franco van der Merwe put Irish within one point though with his 74th minute effort. Having missed the conversion Saints still had 6 minutes to either add to the minor lead or defend a 16-15 game. Sadly though London Irish scored again in the dying moments when a kicked was charged down and Porecki gathered to score putting ahead and ultimately winning the game.
Final score Northampton Saints 16-20 London Irish.
Saffas who scored in this game: Cobus Reinach (1 try) Franco van der Merwe (1 try)
Saffas elsewhere: Gallagher Premiership Exeter Chiefs 12-22 Sale Sharks (Sale Sharks: Robert du Preez (1 penalty; 2 conversions), Dan du Preez (1 try), Rohan Janse van Rensburg (1 yellow card for high tackle)
Top 14 La Rochelle 35-30 Montpellier (Montpellier: Handre Pollard (1 penalty; 2 conversions), Francois Steyn (1 penalty), Nico Janse van Rensburg (1 try, 1 yellow card), Johan Goosen (1 try)
