The former Springbok legend and Cheetahs captain, Ruan Pienaar, will take the first steps in his coaching career when he officially joins the Free State U21 and the union’s academy coaching staff as the new backline and attack coach.
This move was announced by the Cheetahs on Wednesday afternoon when the union issued an official statement to confirm Pienaar’s switch from player to coach.
RUGBY WORLD CUP WINNER WANTS TO GIVE BACK
Pienaar will still play for the Cheetahs in the SA Cup, whereafter he will hang up his playing boots to move to a full-time coaching position.
“Ruan brings a wealth of experience, and the Cheetahs are fortunate to have him in our camp,” MJ Smith, COO of the Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd said.
“He will also be involved with all the professional teams, and his job will be to further improve the skill set needed in the way the Toyota Cheetahs wants to play.”
Ruan will be the bridge between the juniors and seniors and raise the next generation of senior players by equipping them to play on a higher level.
“We need continuity between the teams,” Smith added.
Giving back to the game that made him a Springbok legend, Ruan said: “I’m excited about the new role and look forward to the challenge and learning.”
The SA Rugby U21 Cup kicks off on Friday, 3 May, and the team from the Free State will face the Lions at Ellis Park.
SPRINGBOKS’ FULL 2024 TEST SCHEDULE
Mid-year Test fixtures
Saturday, 22 June: Springboks vs Wales (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 6 July: SA vs Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 13 July: Springboks vs Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 20 July: SA vs Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
Rugby Championship fixtures
Saturday, 10 August: Australia vs Springboks (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Saturday, 17 August: Australia vs SA (Optus Stadium, Perth)
Saturday, 31 August: Springboks vs New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 7 September: SA v New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 21 September: Argentina v Springboks (Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades, Santiago)
Saturday, 28 September: SA v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
End-of-year-tour fixtures
Sunday, 10 November: Scotland vs Springboks (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Saturday, 16 November: England vs SA (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 23 November: Wales vs Springboks (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)