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Francois Pienaar is one of the most famous South Africans ever, as well as one of the most successful Springbok rugby captains of all time. He made his first-class rugby debut for Transvaal in 1989, going on to win 100 caps for the province, 89 of them as captain. Pienaar was among the great modern captains because he was both charismatic and filled with almost zealous self-belief; he led by example and won utmost respect on and off the field of play. An incredibly committed player, brave to the point of recklessness, Pienaar seemed to consider there was no ball that he could not make his own. In 1992 South Africa played its first official international rugby fixtures since 1984, and the Springboks struggled to come to terms with the massive changes in the way the world game was played.
Losses to New Zealand, Australia, France and England emphasised the effects of the isolation years. Pienaar led Transvaal to victory in the first Super-10, as well as in the Currie Cup, the Lion Cup, and the Night Series in 1993. Springbok captain Naas Botha retired and Francois Pienaar was named as captain for two home tests against France. It was a bold decision given that Pienaar had not yet made his international debut. South Africa drew 20-20 with France in Durban and then lost by one point in Johannesburg. Pienaar enjoyed further provincial success in 1994 as Transvaal retained the Currie Cup, beating Orange Free State 56-33 in Bloemfontein, scoring seven tries, a record for a Currie Cup Final.
The national side continued to struggle in 1994, but wins against Argentina, Scotland and Wales saw the Springboks improving towards the end of the year, and Rugby World magazine voted Pienaar International Player of the Year. Francois extended his role of Springbok captain to that of rugby statesman the following year. No side could have had a harder path to the Rugby World Cup Final than Pienaar's Springboks did in the 1995 tournament. They faced the world champion Wallabies in their first match, overcame floodlight failure, the sending off of hooker James Dalton and the citing of wing Pieter Hendriks, and played France in a semi-final in Durban in torrential rain. And few gave South Africa much chance of beating New Zealand, the most formidable rugby side anyone could remember, in the Final. But South Africa won in extra time, Pienaar fell to his knees in prayer, Ellis Park erupted and a nation rejoiced. Francois was voted 1995 Rugby Personality of the Year by Britain's Rugby Union Writers' Club, as well as Newsmaker of the Year in South Africa.
Immediately after the World Cup, Pienaar was instrumental in negotiating a deal with Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation that turned rugby into a fully-fledged professional game, which had some of the older generation rugby administrators unfairly branding him a traitor for selling out South African rugby to professionalism. On the field, the Springboks recorded three more victories before the end of 1995, beating Wales, Italy and England (the photo above is prior to the 24-14 win against the English at Twickenham). Although South Africa defeated Fiji just prior to the inaugural Tri-Nations competition in 1996, their performance in that tournament was disappointing and they managed only one win, against Australia. Pienaar was concussed in the last Tri-Nations game against New Zealand and, only 15 months after lifting the Webb Ellis trophy, he was controversially dropped for the Springboks home series against New Zealand. He went to play rugby in England, becoming player-coach of Saracens. Pienaar was not the first Springbok to play his rugby in Britain, quite a few established stars played in Italy, France and England but his high profile attracted huge attention. Saracens were professional rugby's first glamour team.
The signings of world-famous players like Pienaar, Michael Lynagh and Phillipe Sella brought immediate success, including beating Wasps to win the 1998 Tetley's Bitter Cup (Saracen's first trophy in 127 years). Pienaar retired as a player in 2000, but continued to serve Saracens as chief executive and coach. That same year he was inducted to the Wall of Fame at the Museum of Rugby at Twickenham, and awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Hertfordshire. Francois Pienaar receiving the Rugby World Cup trophy from President Nelson Mandela is one of sport's most iconic and emotional images. Approached by a TV commentator within seconds of the final whistle, Pienaar was asked what it felt like to have such fervent support from 63, 000 people packing Ellis Park. He replied: "We did not have 63,000 fans behind us today, we had 43 million South Africans." A lifelong politician could not have put it better and the roar of approval that greeted the remark was deafening. Nelson Mandela later wrote: "It was under Francois Pienaar's inspiring leadership that rugby became the pride of the entire county. Francois brought the nation together". (Malcolm Finch)
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