Mzwandile Stick has calmed the fears around Cobus Reinach after the Springbok scrumhalf received a death threat on social media after the World Cup quarter-finals.
In the fallout around France’s quarter-final exit to the Boks, Reinach, who plays for Montpellier, was sent a message by a fan of the tournament hosts, threatening both him and his young son.
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Reinach has retained his place in the starting lineup for the semi-final against England on Saturday night and assistant coach Stick said there is nothing to worry about ahead of the match.
“I’ve seen him every day. He’s in a good space. He’s got his family around him,” Stick told reporters on Friday afternoon.
“I must also give credit to the French [organisers], the security around our hotels, with all the teams in the World Cup, the security was just another level. So I don’t think at the moment, there is something to worry about because we know for sure we are well protected in our camps.
“It’s good to see our players also in a good space when they’ve got their families around. That’s one thing we as a coaching staff and management, we are finding a good balance in the sense of getting the human side first to be happy, you know.”
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Stick bemoaned that there was such a furious reaction to what was an enjoyable match where both teams gave their all to win.
“The players do their job to make sure they represent their country. All the players were on the field and we are here to represent South Africa. If someone has got a problem with that, the French authorities will have to deal with it.
“From our side, we will make sure we protect each other as a team, our players, managers, everyone involved.
“We don’t have a place for that in our game. You win some, you lose some. That’s part of the game. I am actually disappointed to have to send that message to a player. We will keep doing everything in our power to make our people proud at home.”
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Photo: Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP