Springboks hungry for more: Cobus Reinach on November Tour to Europe

The Springboks have returned home from London with the Rugby Championship trophy still overflowing with suitable refreshments, but Player of the Match in the finale against Argentina, Cobus Reinach, says one eye is already on the looming end-of-year tour.

The Springboks beat the Pumas 29-27 at Twickenham to nail their first-ever defence of the Championship. In November, they will face Japan, France, Italy, Ireland, and Wales on a five-match tour to Europe.

Reinach says the Boks are aiming for greater continuity.

“You could see in the tournament how we’d lose one, win one, lose again, and then win a match,” said Reinach, who scored two tries against the Pumas.

“Rugby is a strange game. But we know we have a lot of work to do before the year-end tour, and we are all ready and excited to do it. It’s going to be tough, but we’re ready to put in the work.”

Reflecting on their historic Rugby Championship win, Reinach added: “The last time that we won a proper Rugby Championship title before last year was several years ago.”

He was referring to the shortened version of the tournament they won in 2023, the year of the last World Cup.

“It’s a really tough competition, and Argentina showed it. Anything could have happened, and any of the teams could have won, so it’s a great feeling.”

Commenting on how highly the triumph rated in his career, the nippy scrumhalf said it was among the best he has experienced.

“I’m someone who doesn’t really look back at achievements before I’m done, and I’m not done,” said the 35-year-old.

Reinach has scored 17 tries in his 46 Tests, including the fastest World Cup hat-trick — three tries in 11 minutes against Canada in a 2019 pool game. In the 2023 World Cup in France, he repeated the feat with three tries in 24 minutes against Romania.

“What I can say is that this latest title is unbelievable. One day I’ll be able to sit down properly and tell you what it means, I suppose.”

He admitted that although the final match was a proper grind, they expected Argentina to challenge fiercely.

“Looking at where they come from, their country, and their team, we knew they would come out firing,” he said.

“They have a lot of fight in them. They are a team that doesn’t give up, and they showed that.

"There were stages in which we had to chase a few tails and shadows, and luckily, we maintained that. But credit to Argentina, they are a good team.”

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is expected to announce his squad for the November tour in the next two weeks, with the squad set to reassemble later in October.