Pienaar’s chance to shine

Pienaar’s chance to shine

20 Jul 2011

JON CARDINELLI writes that strong performances in the next two matches will ensure that Ruan Pienaar travels to the World Cup as more than just a utility player.

The final trial. This is how several World Cup hopefuls will view the Tri-Nations tournament. There’s little chance of a Springbok B side travelling to Australasia and knocking over the hosts, but there’s a good chance that those in contention for the World Cup will sway the selectors through a couple of impressive showings.

Peter de Villiers hasn’t picked a side that can win in Sydney or Wellington, but he has selected a group of individuals that will be determined to prove a point. It was much the same in 2009 when the dirt-trackers played Leicester and Saracens. Synergy was a problem and ultimately cost those South African teams, but there were a few individuals that made a statement.

Pienaar must be eyeing the upcoming matches as a springboard to World Cup selection. Indeed he would prove a valuable asset given his ability to play more than one position, but he will want to make full use of this opportunity to convince the Bok management that he’s a quality alternative to Du Preez.

A move to Ulster in September 2010 seemed to signal the end of his Test career. At the time, Pienaar told me that he was fed up with being viewed as a jack of all trades and a master of none, and that playing for Ulster would afford him more opportunities in his preferred position.

Little did he know that two months later he would be representing the Boks on their tour of the home nations, and starting at No 9.

Injuries to Du Preez and Ricky Januarie forced the Bok selectors to think outside the box, and the fact that Pienaar was already playing in Europe counted in his favour. Francois Hougaard hadn’t done badly in the 2010 Tri-Nations, but De Villiers and company recognised the need to pick a scrumhalf with a skill set suited to northern hemisphere conditions.

Pienaar played a big part in all three of the Boks’ tour wins and De Villiers later admitted that he should have started him against Scotland. After a disappointing Tri-Nations where the Boks tried to force Hougaard and Januarie to fit the Du Preez mould, they had found a like-for-like replacement in Pienaar.

Du Preez will be one of the most important players at the World Cup, but the Boks need somebody in reserve that can offer the same sort of tactical options. Pienaar’s distribution and decision-making will lend the Boks’ impetus on attack, while his formidable kicking game will be useful in the context of the Bok game plan.

In theory, Pienaar is a similar player to Du Preez and would prove a perfect understudy at the World Cup. But there are many people out there, De Villiers included, who may need further convincing. Saturday’s game against the Wallabies represents the first of two final opportunities to convert the doubters.

The odds are certainly against the 27-year-old. The Boks took a pounding at the collisions in last year’s away Test against Australia, and on that occasion, Pienaar was the man in the No 9 jersey. He struggled behind a losing pack on that occasion, and is unlikely to receive a much better platform when a mix-and-match pack fronts the Wallabies this weekend.

Regardless of the pressure, he needs to show the selectors that he had the necessary composure and decision-making ability to be an asset to the Boks. South Africa may lose the next two Tests, but through his individual performances, Pienaar can win.

It seems unfair to judge Pienaar in this situation just as it was unfair to judge him when his forwards were pummelled last year in Brisbane. But given that it’s the only real opportunity he will receive prior to the World Cup, he will need to make it count.

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65 Comments

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  • 1.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 05:20 am

    from ruining ruan dragons to chance to shine…nc nc nc

  • 2.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 05:25 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-1:

    Did you wet the bed?

  • 3.HHS: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 05:51 am

    I’m already getting flashbacks of that 3rd test against the B & I Lions.

  • 4.j59: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 06:30 am

    Ruan’s main problem, for all his gifts, is he really doesn’t like contact – its a massive problem (eps. if the pack is going backwards)

    Oh, that and his club foot

  • 5.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 07:13 am

    @Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-2:

    Too much Ijuba again…

  • 6.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 07:18 am

    @Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-2: nope, up putting finishing touches to a scheme i’m busy with.

  • 7.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 07:20 am

    @bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-5: typical of you money_man stereotyping… :roll: you can take a pig out of the sty but it remains a vark.

  • 8.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 07:37 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-7:

    Oops I forgot to put the :wink: after that comment Princess calm down… you were posting extremely early for a student…

  • 9.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 07:38 am

    @bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-8: what a weak sidestep…

  • 10.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 07:45 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-9:

    As I said… stop being so precious Princess…

  • 11.he's not the messiah. he's a very naughty boy!: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 08:09 am

    well he’s certainly had a lot of chances to shine

  • 12.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 08:10 am

    with you it’s not preciousness, you’re a known doos so pleasantries are out of the way….

  • 13.President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 08:18 am

    damn the bun fights have started early :lol:

  • 14.he's not the messiah. he's a very naughty boy!: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 08:19 am

    @j59(j59)-4:
    i know, he has a bit of a pretty boy complex thing going. seen it before, good looking guys who kind of schmaltz their way through life with everyone around them giving them easy passes, their moms, their g/friends, their bosses, people at work, people at social events, hostesses & bouncers at clubs, girls everywhere…and then one day reality comes along and smacks the sshit out of the guy in the form of ‘contact’ and they find out there is actually a few odd places in the world where good looks count for ffokkol..then they get a weird confused look on their faces (remember the lions series) and life just isn’t the same anymore…shame.

    he’s got a club foot? wtf?

  • 15.he's not the messiah. he's a very naughty boy!: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 08:21 am

    @President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-13:
    some people are just not very happy when they dont get enough sleep i guess.

  • 16.President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 08:24 am

    @he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-15: lol yup

  • 17.Taahirah: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 08:43 am

    @he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-14: Ruan is good looking?
    Ok then…

  • 18.grant10: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 08:43 am

    @he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-14: you an ugly farker then?

  • 19.Siyavuna: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 08:46 am

    Oi boykies……a grumpy good moaning is being had, it seems ;-)

  • 20.schnoggs: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 08:48 am

    He is only battling it out for a spot on the bench ahead of Hougaard. It depends on the bench mix whether De Villiers wants Juan Du Jongh and Aplon on the bench – then Ruan will be on the bench as he covers flyhalf.

    Or whether De Villiers wants James / Lambie on the bench with Aplon – because then Hougaard might get the nod to have extra wing cover but I suppose if a wing got injured then Aplon would come on. So either way, it looks as if Pienaar will be on the bench unless he or Fourie gets injured. (the above is assuming Morne Steyn starting which he probably will for his kicking ability and heroics against the Lions).

  • 21.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 08:52 am

    Hougaard is a better option. Got the mongrel.

  • 22.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 08:55 am

    Moer hulle!

  • 23.grant10: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 08:58 am

    Ruan Pienaars versatality allows for a 5….2 bench split….

  • 24.Staal: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 09:19 am

    Good player.. imo.

  • 25.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 09:27 am

    @Staal(Staal)-24:

    Morning

    What’s for breakfast

  • 26.Staal: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 09:31 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-25: Hi Dawn… have got a massive cold…

    so my breakfast was:

    ACC 200
    Berocca
    Cal_c_Vita
    Corenza
    Pharmaton Vitamins
    en n neussproei…

    en ek traai Sterimar ook so tussen in….

    ek gaat nou groot!

  • 27.Bod: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 09:33 am

    Away for a couple of months and nothing changes other than a couple of strange new nics

    Morning Dawn

  • 28.he's not the messiah. he's a very naughty boy!: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 09:43 am

    @Taahirah(Taahirah)-17:
    @grant10(grant10)-18:
    just saying, i’d jump his bones if i was batting on the left side of the crease. pretty sure you guys would too.
    he’s got a bit of ‘bluesteel’ going for him.

  • 29.Staal: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 09:52 am

    @he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-28:

    i’m a bit worried about that comment… if i understand it correctly… :lol:

  • 30.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 09:55 am

    Dawn is about to arrive and tell us that Ruan will never be good-looking with his quiet demeanour not too mention mono-brow…

    @grant10(grant10)-23:

    Plenty of versatility in the Boks 22 (1st and 2nd’s) to forgo the on-going 3 backs on the bench… rather include an impact loosie or prop to continue tight/loose pressure…

    Back to the ‘B’ team… Deysel cannot match Faingaa, Hodgson and the dynamite Higginbotham off the bench on his own…

  • 31.he's not the messiah. he's a very naughty boy!: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 09:57 am

    @Staal(Staal)-29:
    no, no! you dont understand it correctly :lol:
    if i was batting on the left, if i was batting on the left hehe

  • 32.Staal: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 10:00 am

    @he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-31: hehehe just checking… :lol:

  • 33.Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 10:03 am

    @he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-28:

    steady.

  • 34.race of tan: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 10:17 am

    Grant10 – I reckon RP will be first choice Bok 9 Post RWC2011!!. Hougie doesn;t have the kicking game RP has, but will be an excellent impact player!!!

  • 35.grant10: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 10:20 am

    @race of tan(race of tan)-34: yes…..RP never wanted the 10 job….that was a silly move, as soon as RP indicated he was not keen it should have been shelved…..

    Some players have golden opportunities Sat to make big statements for post WC 2011 Bok teams…

  • 36.Bod: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 10:25 am

    @Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-33: What kind of stupid nic have you now adopted?

  • 37.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 10:43 am

    @Bod(bod)-36: Welcome back Bod, where you been?

  • 38.ali: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 11:01 am

    Pienaar’s jack-of-all-trades designation was always done to accommodate the lacklustre Januarie. With Januarie out of the picture, pienaar’s place as scrumhalf – whether starting or on the bench – is now assured.

    With fdp not yet up to speed, Pienaar could begin to command a starting 1st XV position imo.

  • 39.Bod: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 11:05 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-37: Thanks Stormersboy.

    Been out of circulation and connectivity for a while whilst setting up in Valencia in my secret mission to rescue the Spanish economy….

  • 40.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 11:20 am

    @Bod(bod)-39: Sounds interresting! You moved there now?

  • 41.Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 11:26 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-40:

    apparently there is a big cycling/mangina flaunting scene there.

    like icarus to the sun……

  • 42.Bod: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 11:39 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-40:
    Yip, about three weeks now, just for a couple of years, still have kept everything in Cape Town and will return at some stage to haunt Gunther and Katman

    Valencia is a great place, but there is absolutely no English and NO rugby coverage anywhere. Being cyberchallenged doesnt help either, so if there is anyone out there than can assist me in hooking up to watch saturdays game, some how or the other, I would appreciate it!!

  • 43.Bod: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 11:44 am

    @Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-41: mm…mm

    rather a bod flaunting scene to all the las chicas topless on the beaches here

    icarus to the sun…

  • 44.Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 11:46 am

    @Bod(bod)-42:

    what are you doing there apart from developing a taste for spanisho chorico…

  • 45.Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 11:48 am

    @Bod(bod)-43:

    indeed, your palsied boep hanging over a battered pair of villagers rugby shorts.

    it will be like the second coming for them.

    enrique iglesias might as well stay at home :lol:

  • 46.Bod: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 12:10 pm

    @Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-45:
    ja right… these chicas have never seen a body carved by the climbs and single track of Tokai, but I must admit my camo cycling rods didnt go down to well on the beach.

    I am trying to teach the locals on how to properly manage the construction of holiday homes of my favourite species, the Puking Poms on the Costa del Sol….

  • 47.Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 12:17 pm

    @Bod(bod)-46:

    good to see you have got some bricklaying work on the costas.

    should give you a chance to rockoutwithyourcockout.

  • 48.fromthecouch: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 12:22 pm

    In Pienaar and du Preez the Boks are blessed with two of the finest scrumhalves in world rugby. Add Hougaard as cover and we can rightly claim to be a scrumhalf factory. Then there are players like Neil de Kock, Michael Claasens, Sarel Pretorious, Jano Vermaak , Charl McCleod , Rory Kockott etc.

  • 49.Couchcoach: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 12:27 pm

    Oh my word, here we go with all the stereotypes of FDP being a very important player at the WC et al. FDP is oor die muur. Let Ruan play and find his feet in Bok team.

  • 50.Bod: Reply to this comment
    20 Jul 2011, 12:27 pm

    @Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-47:

    You seem to have an indepth knowledge of building trades….. mmmmm

    It would be interesting to monitor your reaction to shout of ¨DAGHA!!!

    Speaking of…. I need to start the mix for the pre siesta shift

    Later

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