<
>

Northampton bring in Springboks No.9 Cobus Reinach

(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Northampton Saints have completed the signing of South Africa scrum-half Cobus Reinach ahead of next season.

Reinach, 27, has won 10 caps for the Springboks and arrives at the Saints from the Sharks.

"I'm delighted and excited to be joining Northampton," Reinach said. "It is a club with a long tradition and strong values and I'm really looking forward to playing at Franklin's Gardens and being in their environment. Saints have some outstanding players in their squad and I knew after speaking with the coaches that it was a club that I wanted to play for.

"I want to thank everyone at the Sharks for all they've done for me in my career, and I'm 100 percent committed to them until the end of the season. I'm looking forward to the Super Rugby campaign and hopefully finishing on a high note with the Sharks and regaining my place in the Springboks' squad."

Director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that Reinach will be an exciting player to watch in the Aviva Premiership.

"Cobus is an excellent player and we're looking forward to having him at Franklin's Gardens next season," he said. "We have been watching him for some time and he has proven time and again what a quality player he is. His set piece skills are excellent and he is a very opportunistic scrum half.

"We need quality players in each position to be able to compete at the highest level and Cobus further enhances a position where we are already strong with Nic Groom, Tom Kessell and Alex Mitchell."