The Springboks won’t have the pressure of tournament rugby on their five-game tour that sees them take on Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales, but the matches are crucial for world ranking points.
With the draw for the next Rugby World Cup to be held on December 3, after the Autumn International series, the Springboks want to keep their current top spot and be number one seeds.
The 29-27 win over Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday delivered back-to-back Rugby Championship titles, but the Springboks’ season is far from done.
“Heading into the end-of-year tour against top opposition, this win gives us confidence,” Reinach said. “But rugby’s a strange game, you win one, lose one, win one. We know there’s a lot of work to do, and we’re excited to put that work in.”
Reinach scored two tries and put in a Man of the Match display as the Springboks weathered an Argentine storm to win in London, the same city where they start their Autumn International series against Japan at Wembley Stadium on November 1.
“It’s a really tough competition, and Argentina showed that. Anything could have happened; any team could have won. It’s an unreal feeling,” Reinach said.
“A lot of people wrote Argentina off going into this game. But knowing where they come from, their country and their team, we knew they’d come out firing. They’ve got a lot of dog in them, they don’t stop, and that’s exactly what we saw tonight.
“There were moments where we had to chase shadows, but we managed to stay composed. Credit to Argentina; they’re an unreal team.”
The 35-year-old Reinach appeared to have slipped down the scrumhalf pecking order in the Springboks squad since the last World Cup, but has had a change in fortunes and says he is far from finished in the green and gold.
He will assess where this Rugby Championship triumph ranks in his career highlights when he does hang up his boots.
“In terms of my career, this one is right up there with the best. I’m not someone who looks back on achievements while I’m still playing,” he said.
“I’m not done yet, but for now, I can tell you it’s unreal, it’s unbelievable. One day, when it’s all over, I’ll be able to sit down and tell you properly what it means.”
