Dive into the personal life story of Cobus Reinach, the scrumhalf

Dive into the personal life story of Cobus Reinach, the scrumhalf

Kenneth Mwenda
February 19, 2024 at 8:15 AM

Cobus Reinach, a name synonymous with speed and agility on the rugby field, has a story deeply rooted in the sport's legacy. Born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Reinach was not just any aspiring athlete; he is the son of the late Jaco Reinach, a former Springbok winger and a celebrated sprinter. This lineage bestowed upon Cobus not only a storied surname but also an insane speed that would eventually define his career.

Cobus Reinach of South Africa during the Rugby World Cup France 2023
Cobus Reinach of South Africa during the Rugby World Cup France 2023. Photos: Warren Little/Jan Kruger (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Beyond his athletic prowess, Reinach's personal life, grounded in family values and resilience, adds depth to his profile as an athlete. The details provided here were sourced from a comprehensive analysis of available information, including career statistics, contract details, and personal milestones.

Profile summary

Name

Jacobus Meyer Reinach

Date of birth

February 7, 1990

Place of birth

Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa

Height

5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)

Weight

85 kg (187 lbs)

Position

Scrum-half

Current club

Montpellier Hérault Rugby

Former clubs

Sharks (Super Rugby), Northampton Saints (Premiership Rugby)

International debut

2014, for South Africa

Rugby World Cup appearances

Participated in 2019 (winners) and 2023 Rugby World Cups, notable for scoring the fastest hat-trick in World Cup history in 2019

Father

Jaco Reinach

Wife

Frances Reinach

Children

Richard and Elia

Education

Grey College

Salary

Approximately $550,000 per year at Montpellier

Net worth

Estimated at $3 million

Social media

Instagram

How old is Cobus Reinach?

The scrumhalf was born on February 7 1990 (aged 34 years as of February 2024) to Annette and Jaco Reinach. Hailing from Bloemfontein, Reinach was educated at the renowned Grey College, known for its rugby pedigree.

Cobus began his rugby journey playing at the youth level for Free State before moving to Durban in 2009 to join the Sharks. During his time there, he also played as a scrum-half for SA Home Loans Durban Collegians.

Cobus Reinach's rugby career

Facts about Cobus Reinach
Cobus Reinach of Montpellier dives to score their first try during the Heineken Cup match against London Irish on December 09, 2022, in Brentford, England. Photo: David Rogers (modified by author)
Source: Original

Cobus initiated his senior rugby career with the Sharks XV, participating in the Vodacom Cup during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Over these competitions, he made 17 appearances and notched up 3 tries. His impressive performances earned him a promotion to the Sharks' Currie Cup team.

Cobus Reinach's stats at the Sharks XV

In the 2011 season, he received his first two Currie Cup caps, and for the next two seasons, he shared the scrum-half role with the seasoned Charl McLeod. Reinach celebrated a Currie Cup victory in 2013 and was a finalist in 2012, with both games against Western Province.

In Super Rugby, Reinach debuted in the 2012 season, though he only played once, totalling one minute on the field. His combined efforts with McLeod during the 2012 Currie Cup led to increased playtime in 2013, and their partnership continued.

By 2014, Reinach had secured his position as a regular starter. Despite missing four games due to injury, he played all available regular season matches, scoring six tries, including a notable one that contributed to the Sharks' first victory away at the Crusaders in Christchurch.

His move to Northampton Saints and later Montpellier

On February 27, 2017, it was revealed that Reinach would move to the Aviva Premiership, joining Northampton Saints for the 2017–18 season. By June 12, 2020, he had signed with Montpellier in the Top 14, marking the next chapter of his career post-Northampton.

Cobus Reinach's international rugby achievements

Cobus Reinach during the Rugby World Cup France 2023
Cobus Reinach before the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Quarter Final match between France and South Africa at Stade de France on October 15, 2023, in Paris, France. Photo: Franco Arland
Source: Getty Images

Reinach made his mark by joining the Springbok squad at 24. His call-up for the 2014 Rugby Championship was due to an injury to Fourie du Preez, and he stepped up as the backup scrum-half after Ruan Pienaar was injured.

Making his debut as a substitute in South Africa's victory over Australia in Cape Town, Reinach played a key role in securing a bonus-point win. A week later, he contributed to South Africa's first win over the All Blacks since 2011.

Cobus Reinach's speed

Cobus's speed, often a topic of intrigue, mirrors his father's legacy, particularly Jaco's notable 100m time, a testament to the athletic prowess that runs in the family. His determination was revealed on October 8, 2019, when he set the record for the fastest hat trick in Rugby World Cup history during a match against Canada, a record he nearly matched in 2023 with a swift hat trick against Romania.

Cobus Reinach's death threats

Cobus Reinach and his son
Cobus Reinach of South Africa celebrates with his son Richard Reinach after the Rugby World Cup Final match at Stade de France on October 28, 2023, in Paris, France. Photo: David Rogers
Source: Getty Images

Cobus Reinach shared his experience of receiving death threats following his remarkable performance in the Rugby World Cup, a bittersweet moment that came amid the Springboks' triumphant victory over France. Despite the challenges, his resilience shone through as he went on to retain the Webb-Ellis Cup after defeating England and New Zealand.

Cobus Reinach's height and weight

Cobus Reinach's height and weight, standing at 5 ft 9 in and weighing 85 kg, complement his role on the field, allowing him to manoeuvre and execute plays with precision. His position as a scrumhalf requires not just speed but acute game awareness, skills that Cobus has honed to near perfection.

Cobus Reinach's family ties

Cobus Reinach and his family members
Cobus Reinach enjoys a rich family life, sharing a deep bond with his wife, Frances Reinach and children. Photo: @cobus.reinach
Source: Instagram

Cobus enjoys a rich family life, sharing a deep bond with his wife, Frances Reinach. Their relationship has been a harmonious blend of support and happiness since they began dating in April 2015, leading to their engagement in December 2016.

The duo exchanged vows on April 11, 2017, in a serene ceremony beneath a Marula tree in Phinda, followed by a honeymoon adventure in the Serengeti and the Mozambique islands. The union has been graced with the arrival of two children: their son Richard in March 2019 and their daughter Elia on July 7, 2022.

Cobus Reinach's father

The father of the player tragically passed away at the age of 35 due to a car accident. At the time, Cobus was only six years old, and his older brother Herman was nine.

A younger sibling was born just a month following this tragic event. Cobus is a grandchild of Dr. Herman and Petro Reinach, and his extended family includes his aunts and uncles, Ronel, Monica, Norman, and Herman.

Cobus Reinach's salary

Cobus Reinach's achievements
Cobus Reinach's life story is not just about the accolades and achievements but also about the journey that has shaped him into the athlete and man he is today. Photo: @cobus.reinach
Source: Instagram

Cobus's salary (as of February 2024) is reported to be around $550,000 per year from his contract with Montpellier in the Top 14 league. Additionally, his salary from playing with the Springboks, along with club salaries and sponsorships, contributes to his net worth, which was estimated to be approximately $3 million.

Final word

Cobus Reinach's life story is not just about the accolades and achievements but also about the journey, relationships, and values that have shaped him into the athlete and man he is today. As he moves forward, the legacy of speed, skill, and integrity he embodies will undoubtedly influence future generations of rugby players, continuing the Reinach legacy in rugby.

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Authors
Kenneth Mwenda photo
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a business and sports writer with over five years of experience. At Sportsbrief, he contributes to writing biographies and listicles.