- author, Jonathan Bradley
- role, BBC Sport Northern Ireland
“If I told my wife I was going back to Ulster tomorrow, she would be the first one on the plane.”
Almost seven years since leaving Ulster and two months since his 40th birthday, Luan Pienaar is preparing to retire.
The Springbok World Cup winner, widely considered the best player in the history of the Irish state, has since made an emotional farewell at the Kingspan Stadium after the IRFU blocked his contract extension proposal. , played for the Cheetahs.
He will play for the last time in the latter's colors on May 17, when his hometown club take on Griquas in an SA Cup match.
“It was obviously a sad time for me when I had to leave Ulster. I wanted to see my career there,” Pienaar told BBC Sport NI.
“I was really happy, but as we all know, unfortunately I wasn’t allowed to stay.
“It's also a really good way to end your career in the state you grew up in and with the team you grew up rooting for.
“I never thought I would come full circle and come back to Bloemfontein to play rugby, so to finish here is very special.”
Pienaar made his professional debut with the Sharks in the Currie Cup 20 years ago, but his 20-year career ended at a virtually unprecedented time in the sport.
“I chose my position wisely,” laughed the scrum-half. “I obviously didn't take as many shots as other players.
“I've tried to be as professional as possible. As I get older, I realize that nutrition and everything else plays a huge role in playing well and getting a little bit more life out of your body. But that's what I've been doing.'' I really enjoyed what I was doing.
“I think that plays a big role. Having played this long, the important thing is that I enjoy it every day and I want to learn and I want to get better every day. .”
Despite spending his final days as a player, the next chapter has already begun for Pienaar. Last week he led his first coaching session with the Cheetahs U21 team.
The transition from player to coach is one that brings up a range of emotions.
“I’m looking forward to it, but [I’m] “I’m nervous,” he said.
“Not every player can be a good coach, so I have to learn as I go. I'm going to give it my all.”
“I’m going to start with the Cheetahs juniors and I think it’s a great introduction.
“It’s stressful because I have so many ideas and aspirations.
“In recent years, as you approach the end of your time as a player, you start thinking about how your coaches handled different situations.
“I'll try to pick out bits and pieces of what went well and what didn't.
“I think you have to manage people to get the best out of them. That's a skill in itself, getting people to believe in your plan.”
“That's something I have to learn quickly.”
“I have to learn.”
Pienaar said his motivation for going into coaching was to give something back to the game. He is already coaching at a local school in Bloemfontein and is willing to work at any level.
He is a hugely popular player in Ulster, and with his former manager's ticket currently in flux, many Ravenhill faithful will have thought about the possibility of him returning in the near future.
“If I told my wife I was going back to Ulster tomorrow, she would be the first one on the plane,” he said.
“It's no secret that we were all happy there and I'd be really happy if that happened one day, but listen, I have to learn.
“I have to earn the honor and see where it takes us.
“I really enjoyed my time there and it would be great to make some new memories, but there is a lot that has happened and a lot that I have to learn before I can do that as a coach.
“We don't know what will happen in the future.”
Pienaar acquired Webb Ellis as a Springbok in 2007 and won the Currie Cup with both the Cheetahs and Sharks, but never won a silver medal during his seven-year stay in Belfast.
Perhaps doing so someday as a coach will atone for his many near misses in the white jersey? Mr. Pienaar doesn't think so.
“When you retire, all you have left are memories,” he said.
“Trophies and games won mean nothing.
“I've always tried to stay grounded and humble, because at the end of the day, you're just another person in society.
“The trophies you won and the matches you won are gone, but the memories you made and the people you met remain in your heart.
“When it's all over, all that's left are memories.
“So when I have a little bit of time after the last game and I look back on everything, a lot of things are going to come back to me.
“I'm looking forward to it.”
