Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach etched his name into South African rugby history by earning his 50th Test cap during a commanding 73-00 victory over Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
Coming off the bench in the second half, Reinach injected his trademark energy into the backline, helping the Boks secure a clean sweep on their end-of-year tour (wins over England, Scotland, and Ireland preceding this).
At 35, Reinach's journey to 50 caps, spanning 11 years since his 2014 debut, has been marked by resilience amid fierce competition at scrumhalf, yet his 2025 season has been a standout, blending leadership with explosive play.
Reinach, known for his humility and team-first ethos, downplayed the personal accolade in post-match interviews, focusing instead on the collective achievement and the “unreal season” the squad delivered.
“It’s not just the tour, it’s the whole season. We adapted more than before and grew game by game. Even in setbacks, we learned more than from easy wins. It’s been an unreal season.”
Reinach described the milestone as a “privilege” rather than a personal triumph, crediting the support of teammates and coaches for sustaining him through lean periods.
“It's been a tough 11-year road, lots of times as third or fourth choice, waiting for my shot. But at 35, this feels like the best I've played. The fire's still there; it's about the privilege of pulling on the green and gold, not the number 50.”
“It’s always special just to put on the jersey. Whether it’s cap one or cap 140 like Eben, it’s a privilege. Having done that now 50 times is unreal, something I’ll always be thankful for.”
“Definitely, the 2027 World Cup is still in my sights. I feel good, lots of energy in the legs, even if the hairline’s going back! The competition in this squad pushes you to be better every day. There’s a lot more in the tank.”