VIDEO: Cheetahs get veteran Bok's signature ahead of Final
He has been labelled a ‘true professional’ and the Cheetahs will have his expertise at their disposal for another year.
Coach Hawies Fourie confirmed on Tuesday that Springbok utility back Ruan Pienaar has signed on to play beyond his 40th birthday.
Fourie delivered the good news ahead of the Currie Cup Final – when the Cheetahs host the Pumas in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The 88-times capped Bok, Pienaar, will turn 40 in March next year.
Yet, he feels ‘good enough’ to play at least one more season of domestic and hopefully some European competitions.
“He is still enjoying his rugby,” the coach told @rugby365com, adding: “He is a very competitive person and wants to finish his career of a high.”
Fourie said Pienaar gives plenty of input in team meetings and will continue to play a leadership and mentoring role next year.
“He will have the same role as this year.
“He will support [Cheetahs captain] Victor [Sekekete] and will be the leader of the backs.”
Pienaar, who started at scrumhalf most of the season, has the added value of slotting in at flyhalf when there is a need – as he has done in recent weeks.
“He is the general on the pitch as well,” the coach said about the team’s main playmaker.
His ability to kick with both feet and well-trained passing game are other attributes that make him the valuable asset the Cheetahs are holding onto.
(WATCH as Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie unpacks the value of the veteran Springbok that signed for another year…)
Pienaar, who made his Bok debut as a 22-years-old against New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld in 2006, played the last of his 88 Tests against Argentina in the World Cup third-place play-off in London in 2015 at age 31.
Pienaar, a devout Christian and laidback off the field, the travelled South African was moulded at Grey College, a school known for producing Springboks.
He then kicked off his professional career in Durban with the Sharks in 2004.
In 2010 he moved abroad to Ulster.
He decided to make the move to Montpellier at the end of the 2017 season and after two years he finally decided to return home to South Africa.
The venturesome Pienaar has had an eventful career, and after almost 20 years, he is still going strong.
@king365ed
@rugby365com
