Francois Pienaar may not be remembered for his greatness as a pure rugby flanker, but he will forever be memorialised as one of the most inspirational leaders of South African rugby.
If you are asked to recall a picture of Pienaar, the image of him holding the Webb Ellis Cup aloft in 1995 will quickly come to mind. Together with Nelson Mandela they managed to unite 43 million South Africans through winning one major sporting event.
As an opposition supporter it was a bitter pill to swallow, but to see the consequences of the victory lessened the pain felt.
Pienaar himself stated, “what Mr Mandela did for South Africa in 1995 is just one incredible example of how sport can unite a nation and break down barriers.”
We often hear that politics and sport should not mix, but in this situation it certainly did work.
Francois Pienaar guided the Springboks through tough encounters against Australia, Canada, Western Samoa and France on the way to meeting the in-form All Blacks at Ellis Park.
The Springbok back row of Mark Andrews, Pienaar and Ruben Kruger halted, with assistance from Joost van der Westhuizen, the devastating influence of Jonah Lomu. It was a key factor in stifling the All Black’s attack.
Once the match ended with victory to the South Africans, Pienaar gathered his players in a huddle, supposedly in prayer, as captain of the first South African side to win the Rugby World Cup.
In a stirring moment Pienaar received the trophy from Mandela who was wearing the Springbok jersey with Pienaar’s number 6 on it.
The captain inspiring his supporters with the words, “his team had won the trophy not just for the 60,000 fans in attendance, but also for all 43 million South Africans.” As a born leader, these situations were made for him.
Pienaar makes it into our favourite’s team along with his fellow loose forwards, Jean-Pierre Rives and Mervyn Davies, all three outstanding leaders.
Jacobus Francois Pienaar was born 1967 in Vereeniging, South Africa and studied law at Rand Afrikaans University. He is the eldest of four boys who was brought up in a working class Afrikaans family.
This case confirming the fact that the eldest are more likely to be the responsible leaders!
Pienaar made his Transvaal debut in 1989 and under his leadership they won the Super 10, Currie Cup and Lion Cup in 1993.
With Naas Botha struggling as captain, Pienaar remarkably made his Springbok debut as skipper and player in 1993, becoming one of the most successful South African leaders of all time. He played all his matches as captain.
After being involved in the World Rugby Corporation professional rugby takeover in 1995 which proved unsuccessful, Pienaar assisted in a deal between SANZAR and Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation.
This announced the arrival of professional rugby to the world, with some divided opinions as to whether it would be beneficial to the game.
Pienaar, the face of Springbok rugby was remarkably dropped in 1996 and would never play for the Springboks again.
Coach Andre Markgraaff allegedly accused him of feigning an injury in a match. Was it that or was he dropped for his role in taking on the establishment for the move to professionalism?
Nelson Mandela (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/EMPICS via Getty Images)
Francois Pienaar relocated to Britain, alongside Michael Lynagh and Philippe Sella, helping the Saracens side win their first trophy in 127 years.
They also qualified for the European Cup in consecutive seasons. Retirement as a player followed in 2000, but roles as CEO and coach were appointed until 2002. Home was calling and Pienaar and his wife and two sons returned to Cape Town.
He has written an autobiography, been awarded an honorary doctorate, experienced being a pundit for ITV and had his role as RWC skipper portrayed by Matt Damon in the film “Invictus.”
In 2004 he was voted 50th in the Top 100 Great South Africans and in 2005 was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. Charity work has included being the Founder of the Make a Difference organisation. In 2022 he was included in a consortium in the takeover of the Saracens club.
Pienaar was immortalised for his role in inspiring a rugby team to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup, thereby uniting an apartheid divided country.
South Africa was also celebrated as a Rugby World Cup winner on its home stage.
For an unglamorous role as blindside flanker, Pienaar has certainly elevated his position to celebrity status.
Francois Pienaar joins our favourites team.
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