Cobus Reinach will leave Saints at the end of the season after tearing it up at scrum-half for three years. His ascent into blistering form has matched the upward trajectory of Saints fortunes earning him numerous accolades and a spot in the Springboks World Cup squad.
Unfortunately for Cobus, internationally he has been competing with someone widely regarded to be the best scrum-half in the world, Faf de Klerk.
He has chosen this moment to make a move with some speculation that Montpellier is his destination.
“While we’re disappointed to lose a player of Cobus’ quality, we respect that in the final years of his professional career he’s made a decision with the long-term future of his family in mind,” said Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd.
Northampton Saints full announcement about Cobus
Fan favourite Cobus said: “Saints will always have a special place in my heart and I look forward to giving everything I’ve got to make sure we finish the season with some silverware.”
At the weekend Cobus was instrumental in Saints’ victory over Benetton, a game which also featured Henry Taylor one of three bright prospects at Number 9 for Saints, the others being Conor Tupai and Alex Mitchell.
Dave Ikin’s pictures from Saints v Benetton: