Celebrate world champion Springbok Ruan Pienaar’s birthday with a look back on his illustrious career.

The 88-Test former Bok playmaker, who turns 41 today, was a key member of the team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup and British & Irish Lions series in 2009.

Able to play scrumhalf, fullback and flyhalf, Pienaar also played a key role in three Currie Cup triumphs – first with the Sharks in 2008 before guiding the Cheetahs to victory in 2019 and 2023, the latter being his final season as a player.

A product of the famed Grey College in Bloemfontein, Pienaar launched his professional career in Durban at the Shark Tank in 2004 before a seven-year stint at Ulster cemented his status as a fan favourite.

A short spell at Montpellier preceded Pienaar’s return to the Free State, where he finished his playing days with the Cheetahs in 2023, and following his retirement, was appointed backline coach at the union.