Ruan Pienaar
The son of a Springbok, a World Cup winner in 2007, and a player whose vision drew comparisons to Stephen Larkham.
Ruan Pienaar (born 10 March 1984) is a South African retired rugby union player who played either as a scrum-half or as a fly-half for the Cheetahs, Sharks, Ulster, Montpellier, and the South Africa national team. As of 2024 he is backline and attack coach for the Cheetahs academy. Pienaar is the son of former Springbok fullback Gysie Pienaar. He has been part of u19 (2003), u21 (2005) and senior Rugby World Cup (2007) winning squads. He also won the Currie Cup in 2008, 2019 and 2023. His vision and running style moved former Springbok coach Jake White to compare him with Australian fly-half Stephen Larkham.
- Role
- Scrum-Half / Fly-Half
- Major Honour
- 2007 Rugby World Cup Winner
- International Status
- Retired from playing (2024)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Ruan Pienaar's career is a story of skill, faith, and consistent excellence across hemispheres. Born into rugby royalty as the son of Springbok fullback Gysie Pienaar, he forged his own path from Grey College in Bloemfontein to the highest levels of the game. He made his Springbok debut in the 2006 Tri-Nations against New Zealand and was a member of the successful 2007 World Cup squad. After moving to Ulster in 2010, he became a fan favourite, scoring all 19 points in his Magners League debut against Glasgow Warriors. He was named the Magners League Player of the Year for the 2010/11 season, voted by his peers, and was selected at scrum-half in the league's Team of the Year. He also made the Pro12 Dream Team for the 2011/12 season and captained the side. In 2012 he played in the Heineken Cup Final, scoring 9 points in the 42–14 defeat to Leinster, and in 2013 he scored all of Ulster's 18 points in the Pro12 Final loss to Leinster. Despite strong media reports linking him with Toulon, he signed a three-year extension in 2013, staying until the end of the 2016/17 season. He left Ulster as one of its most celebrated players of the professional era. He later played for Montpellier in 2017/18 before returning to South Africa to play for the Cheetahs, and was loaned to the Sharks for the 2021/22 season. He retired from playing in 2024 and joined the Cheetahs' academy as a backline and attack coach. A devout Christian, he co-founded a Bible study group for rugby players in South Africa and regularly attended the Christian Fellowship Church in Belfast while playing for Ulster. He played his final game on Friday, 17 May 2024, captaining the Cheetahs against the Griquas at Shimla Park—the 85th time he captained the side.
In Their Own Story
The ball was in his hands, the clock winding down at the Pro12 Final in 2013. Leinster led, but Ruan Pienaar, playing at fly-half, kept his team in the fight. Every kick he took sailed through the posts—penalties, conversions, all 18 of Ulster's points came from his boot. He had done the same in the Heineken Cup Final the year before, scoring 9 points in a 42–14 loss to Leinster. But this time, the final whistle blew with Ulster trailing 24-18. He walked off the pitch, head high, having given everything. Years later, at Shimla Park on 17 May 2024, he led the Cheetahs out for the 85th time as captain. It was his final game, against the Griquas. He had already announced his retirement, and the crowd knew they were watching the end of an era. He had come full circle—from Grey College in Bloemfontein to the World Cup, to Ulster, to Montpellier, and back home to the Cheetahs. As he left the field, he carried with him the memory of every kick, every pass, every moment of a career built on skill and faith.
Reader's Guide
Ruan Pienaar is a retired South African rugby union player who played as a scrum-half or fly-half. He made his Springbok debut in the 2006 Tri-Nations against New Zealand and was part of the 2007 World Cup-winning squad. He also won the Currie Cup in 2008, 2019, and 2023. At club level, he played for the Sharks in Super Rugby and Currie Cup before joining Ulster in 2010 on a two-year contract. He made his Magners League debut on 1 October 2010, scoring all 19 points in a victory over Glasgow Warriors. He was named in the Magners League Team of the Year for 2010/11 and won the league's Player of the Year award, voted by his peers. He signed a two-year extension and was again selected for the Pro12 Dream Team in 2011/12, also serving as captain. He played in the 2012 Heineken Cup Final (scoring 9 points) and the 2013 Pro12 Final (scoring all 18 points for Ulster). In October 2013, despite links to Toulon, he signed a three-year extension with Ulster, staying until the end of the 2016/17 season. He left as one of the club's most celebrated players. He then played for Montpellier in 2017/18 before returning to South Africa to play for the Cheetahs in the Pro14 and Currie Cup. He was loaned to the Sharks for the 2021/22 season. He retired in 2024 and became backline and attack coach for the Cheetahs academy. Off the field, he is a devout Christian and co-founder of a Bible study group for rugby players in South Africa.
Did You Know?
- Ruan Pienaar is the son of former Springbok fullback Gysie Pienaar.
- He was named Magners League Player of the Year for the 2010/11 season, voted by his peers.
- He scored all 19 points for Ulster in his Magners League debut against Glasgow Warriors.
- He played his final game on 17 May 2024, captaining the Cheetahs for the 85th time.
- He co-founded a Bible study group for rugby players in South Africa.