Bok boost for Cheetahs
NEWS: The Free State Cheetahs received a timely boost, on the eve of their Currie Cup campaign.
The Cheetahs on Wednesday confirmed Springbok scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar has signed a two-year contract with the Bloemfontein franchise.
The skilful player represented the Springboks in 88 test matches.
Pienaar’s experience in the Pro14 will be valuable for the Cheetah, as he represented Irish province Ulster in 141 matches between 2010 and 2017.
Pienaar was named in the Team of the Year for the 2010/11 season and also scooped the Player of the Year award – which was voted for by his peers.
The 35-year-old the Pro12 Dream Team for the 2011/12 season and was also named the captain of the side.
In 2012 Pienaar played in the European Cup Final, scoring nine points against Leinster. In 2013 he played in the Pro12 Final, scoring all of Ulster’s 18 points against Leinster.
Between 2004 and 2010 he represented the Sharks in 32 Currie Cup games and 67 Super Rugby matches.
The Free State Cheetahs get their Currie Cup campaign underway next Friday, July 19, against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria.
Free State Cheetahs squad: Aranos Coetzee (World Cup – Namibia), Luan de Bruin, Erich de Jager, Günther Janse van Vuuren, Charles Marais, Retshegofaditswe Nche, Schalk van der Merwe, Boan Venter, Jacques du Toit, Joseph Dweba, Marnus van der Merwe, Reinach Venter, Justin Basson, JP du Preez, Sintu Manjezi, Sibabalo Qoma, Walt Steenkamp, Daniel Maartens, Teboho Mohoje, Abongile Nonkontwana, Gerhard Olivier, Jasper Wiese, Aidon Davis, Junior Pokomela, Henco Venter, Dian Badenhorst, Ruben de Haas (World Cup – USA), Tian Meyer (captain), Louis Fouche, Tian Schoeman, Carel-Jan Coetzee, Rabz Maxwane, Darren Adonis, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Ali Mgijima, William Small-Smith, Dries Swanepoel, Clayton Blommetjies, Adriaan Carelse, Malcolm Jaer, Tapiwa Mafura, Ruan Pienaar.
@CheetahsRugby would like to thank @shaunventer9 and Nico Lee for their loyal service and dedication towards FS Rugby.
Venter will be joining Ospreys and Lee will be joining Brive in France. Both received good offers and we would like to wish them all the best. pic.twitter.com/MVFiSOkS9U
ADVERTISEMENT— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) July 10, 2019
