Springboks are in it to win it, says scrumhalf Cobus Reinach

Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach says the Springboks are “all in” and gunning for another World Cup title as they prepare to take on hosts France in a massive quarter-final clash at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Sunday night.

Reinach claimed that there is no difference in going out at the quarter-final or semifinal stage, despite having another chance in the third/fourth playoff in the latter, as they are fully focused on going all the way.

’60 million back home’

The Bok No 9 also said that the team would need to leave all emotions out of the game on Sunday if they wanted to stand a chance of coming away from the France match with the win.

“We want to win every game. Losing a quarter-final or a semi-final, that’s not even in our vocabulary,” said Reinach at a press conference on Thursday.

“We are focusing on what we need to do and how we prepare, and if we do that, we will hit our straps on game day. Playing a third-and-fourth-place playoff, that is not why we or anyone is at the World Cup.”

“We all know it is a quarter-final and there’s a lot to play for, so we try to keep emotions out of it. We all have a job to do and we stay on our job, that is how the system functions … that we can be proud of, and 60 million back home, can be proud of.”

Key member

Heading into the current season Reinach was considered a bit further down the Bok scrumhalf pecking order, but has suddenly become the first choice No 9, ahead of Faf de Klerk.

He has also been utilised twice in the Boks’ controversial seven-one bench split as the only backline sub, which is a role he has started to enjoy.

“I have a wrestle with them (the forwards) every now and then just to keep them grounded,” explained Reinach with a laugh.

“We all buy into it and we all have a role to play. Sitting there with a six-two, five-three, seven-one, it’s all the same. If you have to go on and do a job, you have to go on.”