VIDEO: Reinach hits 50 after tough 11-year journey
CARDIFF, WALES: Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach will finally celebrate a major personal milestone on Saturday as he earns his 50th Test cap against Wales at the Principality Stadium, 11 years after making his international debut.
It has been a long, demanding road for the 35-year-old, and his contribution has not gone unnoticed. Head coach Rassie Erasmus and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick both paid tribute to the veteran No.9 this week.
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Reinach, who first donned the Bok jersey in 2014, sits on 95 Test points – just five away from reaching the century mark.
He has been a standout performer on the end-of-year tour, scoring eye-catching tries and displaying his trademark speed and sharpness around the breakdown.
“Cobus is a true team man, and seeing him reach 50 at 35 years old is remarkable,” Erasmus said. “He’s waited patiently for opportunities and taken every single one.”
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On Friday, Stick offered high praise for the hard-working scrumhalf ahead of the clash with Wales.
“Sjo, all I can say about him is respect.
“I’ve got respect for Cobus. I’ve been there, I’ve watched him, and I understand what he went through,” the backline coach commented.
“There were a couple of years when the guy didn’t get the opportunities. And for him at his age, to keep on fighting, it’s a true reflection of what it means to keep on fighting for what you believe in.
“Cobus has waited a long time, when he wasn’t at his best and not a first choice in that position.
“I’ll be honest, since I’ve worked with him, Faf de Klerk was always our golden boy in South Africa.
“But whenever he got his opportunity, he never let us down.
“To see him now, as one of the best scrumhalves in the world, at that age, and he keeps on getting better.
“He is a vital player in our systems and how we play,” Stick said, and added, “I’ve got massive respect for him. I know at times he got frustrated and didn’t really get the opportunity.
“But I am very proud of what he has achieved in 50 test matches after all these years he has been in our system.
“I know he has been through tough times, travelling throughout the world.”
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