The Bloemfontein-born former Sharks halfback has being plying his trade in the Aviva Premiership for the past season after the 30 Test rule dented his international carrier, despite being the number one in his position the country.

The nippy and feisty player debuted in 2014 against the Wallabies in Cape Town. In 2015 he unfortunately spent the year on the side-lines after tearing his ACL. This allowed for Faf de Klerk to stake his claim, then the 30 Test cap rule damped matter. It is somewhat hard to believe Reinach only has ten caps to his name, as many felt that he was the right man to replace Fourie du Preez in the number 9 jersey.

The 30 Test cap rule that came into effect a few years ago and dented his changes of further Springbok selection, as he opted to further his carrier in England.

With Rassie Erasmus now in charge of the Springboks and the scrapping of the rule, there is a new lease on life for Reinach with regards to his international carrier, as well as that of his fellow scrumhalf, De Klerk, and others.

The scrumhalf department has been a major headache for the national side in recent times, and now with the relaxing of the rule, it makes the position a very competitive one.

In an interview with OFM Sport, Reinach, expressed his desire to represent his country again at the highest level.

“I’ve heard people say that rugby in the Northern Hemisphere is very similar to Test rugby, and I didn’t really believe them until I got there. I found the game over there to be much more challenging.

“I really had to improve my game and I do think that I improved my tactical game, and ability to take control of the game.

“I also think that the circumstances there allow for really good preparation for international rugby.

“I’ll do whatever I can to play for the Boks again, and I’m desperate to where the number nine jersey again this year, and in the World Cup in Japan next year.”

As expected Reinach has welcomed the scrapping of the 30 Test rule, and has sniffed an opportunity to further his ambitions.

“When the 30 cap rule came out I was pretty gutted because I had signed with the Saints just before the rule was passed.

“Now the door is wide open again and I am really excited about it. It makes me want to work as hard as I can and do everything in my power to earn that jersey again.”

The Springboks tackle Wales next week in Washington DC in the USA, in what is the first Test under Erasmus, and also first Test of the year. Following that it is the three-Test series against England in South Africa, and Reinach believes that there is no reason for the Boks not to claim a 3-0 series white-wash.

“I think that we have the coach, and I think that we do have the players. I see no reason why we can’t put them away three-nil and make a nice big statement about what the Springboks are, were, and will be again going forward.”

SA Rugby has confirmed that Rassie Erasmus will be announcing his 40-member Test squad on Saturday evening at 19:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport