ex Keo
RYAN VREDE writes that watching Ruan Pienaar’s masterful display in the European Cup semi-final was a timely reminder of his class and the benefit of time away from the pressures of South African rugby.
In engineering Ulster’s march to Twickenham, Pienaar played with all the fizz and skill of the youngster who emerged in 2007 for the Sharks but also with the composure, tactical intelligence and precision that can only be learned through experience.
This was not a one-off event. Pienaar has burnt white-hot for the better part of 18 months and is widely considered to be the club’s fulcrum. Certainly his reputation earned him a move to Ireland, but he hasn’t lived on reputation alone since, winning the respect of the European rugby fraternity through his consistent excellence. Indeed his game has grown and he is now a refined player compared to the one that left South African shores two years ago.
Positional continuity undoubtedly has had much to do with this, but the emotional maturity he would have experienced being away from the comforts of home is invaluable in his growth. Ulster and Ireland have been as good for Pienaar in this regard as Pienaar has been for them.
Pienaar is a prime example of the benefits a period abroad can have. Too often South African players of Pienaar’s calibre are castigated for their decision to leave a local franchise. They are too readily branded as mercenaries and the failure to recognise the potential future benefits for the national game is one of our great failings as a rugby fraternity.
I haven’t seen Pienaar command a big match in the manner he did in Dublin on Saturday. For a myriad reasons I had reservations about his temperament in high pressure environments and those reservations were supported by off-the-record talks with some of his team-mates. But against Edinburgh he played with the authority of a man who was absolutely clear in what he wanted to achieve and one not shackled, as he had been, by a fear of failure.
Pienaar always had the talent to play Test rugby but never the mental strength to be a consistent force. On the evidence of what I’ve seen, that is no longer a charge that can be levelled at the 28-year-old.
There has been plenty written about the potential return of Fourie du Preez to the Springboks. Coach Heyneke Meyer believes him to be central to the success of their game plan and covets his technical and tactical gifting. The debate around Du Preez’s return hasn’t made mention of Pienaar, only the effect such a comeback would have on the career prospects of Francois Hougaard, anointed by Du Preez as his successor.
But no Springbok scrumhalf debate can now be a valid one without Pienaar’s value being discussed – such is the quality of player he has become
Well no sane person could doubt the talent. Ruined by the sharks he went overseas and appears, as that notable pundit Moz also says, the real deal.
Both Ruan and Frans must realsie that they must not go back to the sharks. Listen to uncle Beeno. Go back to Free State but failing that come to WP . Ignore the flashy bulle cheque book and the career ruining boodle the sharks will dangle in front of you. Come to where the future is WP WP WP!!! In any case you two would not look good in pink!
