Cobus Reinach was within minutes of breaking his own World Cup hat-trick record as the scrumhalf triggered South Africa’s demolition job of Romania on Sunday.
Reinach dotted down three times in the first half to get the ball rolling as the Springboks mercilessly battered Romania in a whitewash win in Bordeaux.
It was the veteran scrumhalf’s second World Cup hat-trick, after he set a tournament record by scoring three in 21 minutes against Canada in 2019.
In a poll run by SARugbymag.co.za after the final whistle, Reinach earned 35% of votes to be crowned South Africa’s MVP of the match.
Cobus Reinach 🤝 rapid hat-tricks#RWC2023 | #RSAvROU pic.twitter.com/7rkqLDx4Uq
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 17, 2023
MORE: Boks satisfied with ‘simple’ win
Makazole Mapimpi, who also scored a hat-trick and was named as the official man of the match, earned 14% of votes, placing him third in the poll after loose forward Kwagga Smith (19%).
Teamwork 🤝#RWC2023 | #RSAvROU pic.twitter.com/fZikjZrqZH
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 17, 2023
A trio of tries in a huge team performance ☝️☝️☝️
Congratulations to @Springboks’ Makazole Mapimpi on being the @Mastercard #POTM#RWC2023 | #RSAvROU | #Priceless pic.twitter.com/bu7FFNL1Fm
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 17, 2023
Photo: Christophe ARCHAMBAULT / AFP