South Africa scrum-half Cobus Reinach received DEATH THREATS from France fans on social media following the hosts’ narrow Rugby World Cup quarter-final exit to the holders, reveals Rassie Erasmus
South African scrum-half Cobus Reinach has been the target of death threats from French fans on social media.
The 33-year-old was part of the starting XV that narrowly defeated hosts France in a thrilling encounter that ended 29-28 for the reigning world champions in Paris on Sunday.
Both sides flew out of the trap with three scores each in the first half, before the Boks secured victory after Cheslin Kolbe somehow knocked down a Thomas Ramos conversion.
Antoine Dupont’s side failed to beat the Springboks in a dizzying match, with Jacques Nienaber’s side hosting a meeting with England in a repeat of the previous tournament’s final in Japan.
However, since the game released last weekend, Reinach has received shocking messages from a fan on social media.
South African scrum-half Cobus Reinach has become the target of death threats from a French fan
Rassie Erasmus claimed the threats would ‘upset’ Reinach’s parents, but said his side would ‘go further’
The death threats he received on social media included the hope that Reinach would be killed upon his return to his club, Montpellier.
“Dirty son of ab****, I hope when you return to Montpellier you will be killed by the French on the ground gang of thieves, easy to win a title if you cheat,” read the threat on social media.
South African director of rugby Rassie Erasmus then responded on
He also wanted to point out that a quote attributed to him was false, with the alleged words reading: ‘Rugby of Ireland and France can still make it to the Rugby World Cup final, they just have to buy the tickets.’
“This is clearly not true,” Erasmus’ response began, before turning to the threats against one of his players.
‘Unfortunately, these threats were made to Cobus Reinach!!
‘It’s not nice and it upsets a mother and father to have such things said about their son! But we’re not going to whine, we’re just going to move on!!!’
He added: “Hulle doet nie nie wat ons geen nie (they don’t know what we know in Afrikaans),” perhaps referring to UFC star Dricus du Plessis’s eponymous cry on his victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 in July .
The Scrum half plays his club rugby in Montpellier in the south of France, where he has made 63 league appearances in the three years since joining from Northampton.
Reinach was part of the side that defeated 29-28 in Paris on Sunday evening in a thrilling match
The 33-year-old has retained his place in the squad that will face England at the Stade de France
Reinach’s inclusion in the squad to face France was perhaps a surprise inclusion, supplanting the star of last tournament’s success, Faf de Klerk.
But the 33-year-old half-back has retained his place thanks to a stunning display against the home side in the clash against England.
It is an unchanged Boks team, while England have made three changes, with Freddie Steward, Joe Marler and George Martin coming in for Marcus Smith, Ellis Genge and Ollie Chessum respectively.
The Boks meet Steve Borthwick’s side at the Stade de France on Saturday evening at 8pm.