South African World Cup winning scrum-half Cobus Reinach will leave English Premiership side Northampton Saints at the end of the current season.
Reinach, who has scored 29 tries in 70 appearances for the Saints, joined the English outfit from South Africa’s Super Rugby franchise the Sharks in 2017.
The 29-year-old is expected to join French Top 14 side Montpellier, where he will link up with other South African players, including fellow Rugby World Cup winners Handre Pollard and François Steyn.
Reinach said that leaving was not an easy decision for him to make given that the Saints had an exciting squad which he believes can challenge for major honours.
“I’d like to thank everyone for making the last three seasons so memorable; I’ll be sad to leave some great friends and team-mates,” Reinach 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.”
Northampton head coach Chris Boyd said he was disappointed to lose a player of Reinach’s quality adding that he respected his decision which was made with the long-term future of his family in mind.
“Cobus is putting all his focus and energy into ensuring that Northampton have as much success as possible for the second half of the season, and we will wish him well after that.”
