Springbok Cobus Reinach agrees South Africa homecoming

South Africa scrum-half Cobus Reinach has signed for the Stormers ahead of next season.

The double World Cup winner, 34, will return to play for a South African side after eight years in Europe.

The 39-cap Springbok left the Sharks in 2017 to join Northampton Saints in the Gallagher Premiership, where he swiftly became a fan favourite. After three years at Franklin’s Gardens, Reinach moved to France to join the Top 14’s Montpellier, where he has remained.

Reinach remains a fixture in Rassie Erasmus’ South Africa set-up, featuring from the bench in two of their three Autumn Nations Series matches against England and Wales.

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With his current side sitting in seventh place in the Top 14, the scrum-half will be looking to end his time abroad on a high before returning to his homeland.

“It will obviously be great for my family and I to return home, but what is just as exciting for me is to join a team playing such a great brand of rugby,” Reinach said.

“I know a lot of the DHL Stormers players well and I feel that I have a lot to offer within their game model, so I am looking forward to connecting with my new teammates and coaches when I move down to Cape Town at the end of the season.”

Stormers director of rugby John Dobson added: “Cobus has proven himself a threat at the highest level of the game and we are expecting him to fit in seamlessly here.

“He is a double World Cup winner and his considerable experience will be vital as we develop the next generation of young talent, with the likes of Imad Khan and Asad Moos set to benefit greatly from working closely with him.

“His attacking abilities are well-known, but he is also a player with great rugby IQ, and given his knowledge of European conditions and opposition he will provide plenty of value on and off the pitch.”