Ruan Pienaar: Springboks career & 2007 Rugby World Cup Winner

In this episode of Front Row Rugby Springboks legend and 2007 Rugby World Cup winner Ruan Pienaar discusses his storied international career. Growing up as the son of a Springbok, Ruan made his debut at a young age and helped South Africa win the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Over the years Pienaar played in every backline position for the Boks. His versatility was an asset but at times also a curse. In this conversation he opens up about all these topics as well as the 2011 Rugby World Cup, 2015 Rugby World Cup, his thoughts on the different coaching methods of Jake White, Peter De Villiers and Heyneke Meyer. Ruan also discusses the infamous defeat to Japan as well as sharing a funny story involving a carcass and a pack of hyenas!

00:00 Introduction by Peter
00:40 The son of a Springbok
02:24 Springbok debut
03:28 2007 Rugby World Cup
04:11 Beating England 36-0
04:50 Struggling against Tonga
06:17 The latter stages of the World Cup
07:43 2007 Rugby World Cup final
10:10 A special Springbok team
11:39 Ruan Pienaar’s versatility
12:48 2011 Rugby World Cup
13:32 Comparing Jake, Peter De Villiers & Heyneke
14:56 Losing to Japan
17:13 Looking back on his career
18:45 Funny moment involving hyenas!

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