Faf played a huge part in our WC wins. I recall, for example, an ankle tap late against France, which prevented an almost certain try. He never let the opposing halves settle, executed the game plan flawlessly and was always there at the breakdown
Reinach isn’t as poor as his press, but his only exceptional attribute is his pace. What has he done to suddenly be our incumbent 9 and what has Faf done to be ditched? Any thoughts?
He most probably told Dr. Lucky to piss off, just like Evan Roos‘s dad:) All jokes aside, Faf,s last appearance was very good….his form was there.
Some strange decisions from the so called Genius, Faf should be playing. Nothing special about Reinach.
Agreed I don’t get it at all. Faf has always been better than Reinach and clearly Rassie thought as much to.
Faf got injured and has never got a look in again despite an excellent showing off the bench earlier in the year.
Faf is a year younger than Reinach, is the better player so why the investment in Reinach over Faf?
It makes zero sense to me. I liked Reinach enough but at 35 it’s crazy that he is where he is today, considering the depth we have at 9
Why is Reinach retained while Willie, Mapimpi, Koch and Bongi seem to be history? For me the same applies to Mostert. Surely these two should also be on that list of discards?
Yes he was excellent in his brief off the bench appearances
Dave
AlI I could find about Faf is the following:-
Yes, Faf de Klerk had a thigh injury in mid-2024 that kept him out of some games, but he was recalled to the Springboks squad in August 2025 and appears to be recovered. He was dealing with a thigh injury in 2024 and consulting specialists, but he is back to being called up for squads and playing in 2025.
\
However it did not mention the following:-
Mbombela native de Klerk suffered a season-ending hand injury against TJ Perenara's Black Rams Tokyo on March 15 and returned to his homeland to undergo surgery. His appearance against Italy was his first for his country since their July 2024 home defeat to Ireland.
If seems that if he above is borne in mind Faf played very little Rugby over te last 14 months and that amy hav cause him not been called up for the tour squad again.
I am sure there is something else keeping him out of the Nomvener tests. His wife is expecting their second child in November 2025 - so he may be on maternty and babysitting leave,
Mike he is not injured and never featured in the RC so something is amiss
Personally neither Faf or Reinach would be in my Bok squad both too old now and we have some good younger 9’s about
Williams, vd Bergh, Papier, Nohamba, de Wet, Nico Steyn and Pead are all good 9’s
Jayden Hendrikse is as well but not at the moment - he needs a cracker up his arse
I’ve found it quite odd not seeing him included this past while, even from the bench.
For some reason, Reinach is preferred to every other scrum half at the moment !
