Springboks learn bleak extent of Cobus Reinach's injury

Stormers and South Africa scrum-half Cobus Reinach is expected to miss the next three months after injuring his medial cruciate ligament in the recent United Rugby Championship victory over Glasgow Warriors.

The 36-year-old left the field with 20 minutes to play in the Stormers’ 48-12 win in Cape Town, which saw them return to the summit of the URC, after being trapped in a ruck.

He took to social media later that day to confirm that it was not an anterior cruciate ligament, which would likely see him miss nine months to a year. Instead, multiple reports in South Africa have revealed that it is an MCL injury, which will still see him miss the denouement of the Stormers’ URC campaign and probably South Africa’s Nations Championship fixtures in July.

The Springboks face England, Scotland and Wales in July, before taking on Argentina in August, followed by their four-Test series with the All Blacks. Fortunately for Rassie Erasmus, his scrum-half is likely to be available for the greatly anticipated series with the All Blacks.

Reports have suggested that Reinach does not require surgery, which will be a relief, having already gone under the surgeon’s knife in February to deal with a groin hernia.

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Despite being in the twilight of his career, Reinach played some of his best rugby in 2025, bringing the curtain down on a stellar year with his 50th cap in the Springboks’ final Test against Wales. He produced some of the standout moments of the year, including his solo effort to beat France in Paris.

He was expected to retain the green No.9 jersey heading into the international season, particularly as it would allow him to reprise the half-back partnership he has at Cape Town with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Reinach was replaced by Imad Khan against Glasgow, who is expected to start now for their final two matches of the regular URC season against Ulster and Cardiff before the play-offs get underway.