Stormers coach John Dobson says Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach is not just “seeing out his career” in Cape Town.

Reinach is set to make his Stormers debut off the bench in Saturday’s URC match against Benetton in Treviso, after being given a short break following the Rugby Championship.

The 35-year-old brings over a decade of top-level experience, having recently starred for the Springboks, and is expected to provide a spark in the second half of the match as the Stormers look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

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Dobson has made eight changes to his starting XV for the final match of their European tour, with the team currently top of the log after four wins from four. They are also chasing a first-ever win in Treviso.

“It’s been a treat to have him,” Dobson said on Friday. “He’s a character, he’s a professional and he’s been fully engaged since before joining us. He was in touch weeks ago asking about detail and how we want to play.

“He’s not here just to mentor the younger guys. He’s still a top-class player and a proper athlete. He was Man of the Match in the Boks’ last game – that tells you the level he’s at. He wants to play for a few more years, he wants to win trophies and he’s come in really excited.

“It’s definitely not a case of him seeing out his career. We want him on the field as a strike force.”

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Captain Ruhan Nel echoed those sentiments.

“He’s so energetic and keen to get involved. Scrumhalves are a special breed – and he brings so much energy and experience.

“What’s impressed me most is how much he wants to understand how we do things – the mindset, the systems, where he can contribute. We just want to get him on the field and let him go.”

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With star flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu being rested, Jurie Matthee starts at 10 on Saturday.

“There was temptation to move Damian [Willemse] to 10,” said Dobson, “but asking him to play 15, then 12, then 10 in three weeks didn’t make sense. He’s a 12/15 at international level, and Jurie’s growth has been really encouraging, so it was a natural call to back him.”

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Dobson explained that Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s break was always part of their wider squad management plan.

“He’s been on the go since before the Argentina Test, then the Rugby Championship and then our three-week tour. It would have been nearly two and a half months away from home.

“He’s got some admin and niggles to sort out back in Cape Town, so this was the right time to give him a break. We’ll need him later in the season when Damian isn’t available.”

Nel backed Matthee to step up in the key playmaking role.

“Jurie’s done really well whenever he’s had an opportunity,” he said. “He doesn’t try to copy Sacha or anyone else – he plays to his strengths.

“He’s a natural leader. This week in the 10 jersey he’s steered us well with clear plans and good communication. There’s responsibility that comes with playing 10, but he’s embraced it.”

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Dobson also explained why Nel retains the captaincy despite the return of fit-again Bok lock Salmaan Moerat.

“There was definitely an element of not wanting to burden Salmaan after a long injury layoff, but the main reason is that we’ve been thrilled with how Ruhan has led the team,” he said.

“This was always planned as a block of five games, and it didn’t make sense to change the captain when things are going well. Salmaan will lead us again at some stage, but Ruhan deserves to finish this block.”

Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images