Politics could keep Cobus from Japan
NORTHAMPTON boss Chris Boyd believes the colour of Cobus Reinach’s skin may prove to be the biggest obstacle in his bid for a South Africa recall.
Scrum-half Reinach, capped ten times by the Springboks in 2014 and 2015, has been outstanding for Saints scoring 13 tries in 17 appearances and outplaying current South Africa No.9 Faf De Klerk in last week’s crushing 67-17 win over Sale.
The 29-year-old is on the radar of South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus but may face further World Cup heartache after missing out in 2015.
Saints rugby director Boyd told The Rugby Paper: “Cobus played well against Faf and when we played Worcester he was pretty good against (Francois) Hougaard as well.
“You’d say he has played his way back into contention in this context, but it’s not as simple as that.
“There’s complexity around South African rugby and their selection that exists and does have an impact – I think it would be highly unlikely for them to take three white half-backs to the World Cup.”
South Africa employed three 9s during their November tour of Europe, with De Klerk joined by Bulls pair Ivan van Zyl and Embrose Papier – two white, one black.
Boyd added: “Only South Africa will know what the situation will look like going forward but Cobus has certainly put his hand up. Like everyone else here, we’re encouraging guys to chase international honours and I wish him well.” Meanwhile, Boyd reveals that the startling progress made by a number of the club’s academy products means his squad for next season is almost complete. Boyd, below, who arrived from the Hurricanes last summer, has given youth its head and been rewarded with assured displays from the likes of James Grayson, Alex Mitchell, Fraser Dingwall, George Furbank, Ehren Painter, Lewis Ludlam and Rory Hutchinson. With high profile Kiwis Owen Franks and Matt Proctor on the way, Boyd declared: “I don’t envisage that there will be any other senior contracted players coming into Northampton – apart from a couple of youngsters, we’re pretty much done.
“I’ve been happy to bring in quality overseas players in Owen and Matt, but they are just supplements to the crew we’ve got and the big emphasis was on retaining guys I’ve been happy with.
“We’ve signed ten of our youngsters from academy contracts into full senior contracts so that’s taken up a bunch of spots from guys coming through.”
While some claim that the threat of promotion and relegation is an impediment to blooding younger players, Boyd has bucked the trend despite his club’s early season struggles in the wrong half of the table.
Asked if he feared the risk, Boyd replied: “Not really, particularly with young lads who have ability. If you give them the confidence to play, by and large they’ll always reward you.
“It’s just about getting the balance right between old and new – the conservative and the optimistic – and if you support guys and don’t put too much pressure on them to achieve, generally they’ll pay you back. That’s what we’ve been seeing.”
How close does Boyd feel Saints are from challenging Saracens and Exeter? He added: “Those sides can claim consistency, which we haven’t done. We haven’t even won 50 per cent of our games so we’re a long way from where we need to be.
“But if we can get a run going, we have as much potential as anyone. It’s a tough race, but we’re not intimidated by it.”