VIDEO: Cobus Reinach's 50th is a son’s salute to his father
CARDIFF, WALES: For Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, every match is more than 80 minutes of rugby; it’s a tribute.
Every time he pulls on the Springbok jersey, it’s more than just another Test match – it’s a tribute to his late father, Jaco Reinach.
On Saturday in Cardiff, Reinach reached a special milestone playing in his 50th test, albeit from the bench.
His father was a Springbok and a remarkable dual-code athlete, electrifying South African sport in the 1980s with his blistering pace and powerful running.
He represented his country in both rugby and athletics and was admired for his talent, humility, and fierce competitiveness. His life was tragically cut short in a car accident in 1997, when Cobus was still a young boy.
That loss became a driving force, and it was the reason he started playing rugby. Every moment on the pitch is a continuation of a family legacy etched long before he earned his first cap.
In time, the No.9 has carved out his own identity as one of the most explosive scrumhalves in world rugby. His ability to ignite an attack from nothing feels like a nod to the natural athleticism his father once displayed.
But behind the speed and skill lies something richer: heart, pride, and a sense of meaning rooted in family.
The nuggety scrumhalf only needs five more Test points to reach 100 in the green and gold, and it’s a pity it didn’t happen in Cardiff against Wales in what was already a momentous occasion, capped by a record-breaking score.
“Cobus is a true team man, and seeing him reach 50 at 35 years old is remarkable,” Erasmus said in the build-up to the match.
“He’s waited patiently for opportunities and taken every single one.”
Rugby365 asked Reinach about the special occasion and if he thought about his father a little bit more on Saturday under the bright lights of Principality Stadium.
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“Oh, it was special. Playing in my 50th, playing with this team, every game is special.
“Just putting on the jersey, if it’s one or cap 140 like Eben. It’s something you will never forget. It’s truly something special, and it’s every boy’s dream,” he told me, and added, “So playing my 50th is unreal for me.
“It’s the first time someone asked me that [his dad]. Difficult answer.
“Yes, I never not think of him when I play. He is the reason why I play and why I started playing.
“Everyone wants to live up to their father’s legacy
“So I am proud to say that he is my dad, and I hope that what I do makes him proud. And I’m sure he is.
“Sorry, that’s a difficult one to answer.”
