Latest news with #FrancoisPienaar
The South African
29-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Where is former Springboks captain Francois Pienaar now?
Before Bryan Habana and Siya Kolisi became household names, Francois Pienaar was the most recognised face of the Springboks. He is best known for leading South Africa to victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup and is also referred to as the 'Lays guy' due to his appearances in numerous commercials for the brand. Pienaar was born in Vereeniging but completed high school in Witbank. He then enrolled at Rand Afrikaans University (now the University of Johannesburg), where he studied law. He made his provincial debut for Transvaal Province in 1989 and joined the Springboks squad in 1993, following South Africa's readmission to World Rugby. Two years later, he captained his team to their first Rugby World Cup triumph at Ellis Park, a moment regarded as one of South Africa's most iconic. The image of Pienaar receiving the trophy from Nelson Mandela became an iconic symbol of unity in post-apartheid South Africa. His stay with the national team was short-lived after he was controversially dropped from the Springbok squad after 29 caps by coach Andre Markgraaff in 1996. He then moved to Britain, where he became the player-coach for Watford-based club Saracens. After retiring from playing, Pienaar became Saracen's CEO but stepped down a couple of yeas later and returned to South Africa where he took on various roles within rugby, including CEO of the Rugby World Cup Bid Committee. He also worked as a rugby commentator and founded the 'Make a Difference' (MAD) charitable organization. On October 24, 2011, the former Springbok captain was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame. Despite stepping out of the limelight, Francois Pienaar has remained involved in numerous charities and regularly works as a rugby analyst and commentator. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Date confirmed for 2025 Nedbank South African Charity Golf Day in London
The next edition of the Nedbank South African Charity Golf Day will take place on Friday, 5 September 2025 at Foxhills Club and Resort, Stonehill Road, Ottershaw, Surrey KT16 0EL. This annual event has a rich history dating back to 1994, the year South Africa held the first democratic elections. It began simply as a day for South African golf enthusiasts getting together for a mildly competitive round of golf followed by the normal Saffer banter over drinks and a meal. But then in 1997, Geoff Johnson who had initiated the day, invited two longstanding friends Francois Pienaar and the late Clive Rice, former South African rugby and cricket captains, to participate. It was actually Pienaar who suggested to Johnson that future days be held to raise funds for development rugby and cricket in the townships of South Africa. Rice agreed and so a charity was formed and registered in the UK in 1998 called South Africans In Need Trust or S.A.I.N.T. The day really took off in 2001 when President FW de Klerk, former Nobel Peace prize winner alongside President Nelson Mandela in 1993, agreed to attend. This attracted 428 golfers including Raymond Ackerman and a host of South African sporting stars plying their skills on the rugby and cricket fields of Britain. And so the annual Nedbank South African Charity Golf Day became the biggest golf day in Europe and some say, even the entire world! But the emphasis has always been, and still very much is, the need to raise as much as possible to support vulnerable children in South Africa through educations, health, housing, sporting facilities as well as the disabled. The golf day helps support three charities – Africa Humane Nyosi Project in the Eastern Cape (formerly Community Conservation Fund Africa foundered by Adrian Gardiner), the FW de Klerk Foundation who support four charities for the disabled, and Masicorp who look after the schools in Masiphumelele outside Cape Town. Over the years, the annual Nedbank South African Charity Golf Day has raised close to £4 million supporting these and many other charities. The event began at Mentmore Country Club near Leighton Buzzard, then moved to Moor Park, Stoke Park, Foxhills Club and Resort for 10 years, then Burhill Golf Club for another 10 years. Essendon Country Club in 2023 and then this year, we are back at Foxhills Club and Resort near to Woking in Surrey. Organsiers are expecting a full field of 130 golfers to participate with 180 attending the gala dinner the night before. Registration will open at 09:30 on the day, with a golfers briefing at 11:15 and a Shot Gun start at 12:00 promptly. Entry is £1 600 per fourball. To be part of the golf and / or gala dinner, contact Geoff Johnson or visit the official website. Email: geoffwjohnson@ +44 (0) 7850 752 433 WhatsApp: +44 (0) 7850 752 433
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
1995 Springbok replica jersey price: What you should expect to pay
NOSTALGIA The 1995 Springbok replica jersey, commemorates South Africa's first Rugby World Cup victory and features a modern tight-fit design with Nike branding, contrasting with the original's looser fit and lack of sponsors. Picture: AFP As the SA Rugby Union (Saru) announced new kit for the coming season, the standout was the 1995 replica Springbok jersey to commemorate the side's first Rugby World Cup victory 30 years later, to the day. On June 24, the Springboks won their first Rugby World Cup title on home soil at Ellis Park as they beat New Zealand in the final. It was a landmark victory that unified the new Rainbow Nation, with the iconic images seen of Francois Pienaar and SA President Nelson Mandela holding the Webb Ellis trophy aloft. Before it was the precedent for SA politicians, Mandela saw the significance of donning the Springbok jersey, which had previously been one synonymous with Apartheid.
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Beyond 1995: What is South Africa's real win?
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was historic, but the nation's real victory lies in overcoming centuries of division. South Africa captain Francois Pienaar holds aloft the Webb Ellis trophy as the rest of the team celebrate after their 1995 World Cup Final victory over New Zealand at Ellis Park on May 24, 1995 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Allsport/Getty Images) There have been few bright, shining moments in the history of our brutal, unequal country. Two of the brightest, though, came from sport, leading many to believe that, in a sports-crazed nation like South Africa, it was on the playing fields that society's unequal playing field would be levelled. The first magic moment was on 24 June, 1995 in the Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park stadium, when Joel Stransky's extra time drop put the nail in the All Blacks coffin for the most famous Springbok victory in history. The second was just under 15 years later, on 11 June, 2010, when Bafana Bafana striker Siphiwe Tshabalala's left boot rifled a shot past Mexico's goalkeeper to score the first goal in the first Fifa World Cup tournament on African soil. In those moments, we dreamed the impossible dream – and saw it come true. This week, as we mark the 30th anniversary of the triumph of Francois Pienaar's Boks, the euphoria of 1995 seems far off … and our current reality a nightmare more than a dream. ALSO READ: Weekly sports update: Proteas take on Zim, Springboks play Barbarians With each year that passes, 1995 and all that – Nelson Mandela, 'Rainbow Nation', 'Shosholoza', call it what you will – becomes less relevant. The majority of our population is under 30, which means they weren't even born when Madiba handed over the Webb Ellis Cup to Pienaar. So, is it the case that the dream of greatness belongs only to the older generation? That may well be the case… but it could also be that it was a naïve, unrealistic dream in the first place. Overcoming more than three centuries of racebased oppression will not be achieved simply through the good vibes of a major sporting victory. It's going to take maturity, patriotism and compromise to heal our wounds. If we get even halfway there, it will be a win. NOW READ: 'They laid the foundation': Kolbe on 30th anniversary of 1995 World Cup win
The South African
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Rugby World Cup 1995: Where were YOU on this day 30 years ago?
Every South African rugby fan will be able to recall where he or she was on this day 30 years ago as the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Provided you were born of course, 24 June 1995 will forever stick in the memory bank as Francois Pienaar accepted the trophy from Nelson Mandela following a nail-biting extra-time victory over the All Blacks. Personally, I watched the match at friend's house then headed to that infamous watering hole in Claremont called 'Green Man' (remember it?) where they rescreened the Test. We drank beer, we drank more beer, and then around 05:00 the next morning they kicked us out. There are also vague recollections of street lights being climbed and flags stolen along Main Road in Rondebosch, but that might just have been the beer talking … Let us know by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. On this day 30 years ago Joel Stransky landed an extra-time drop goal as the Springboks beat the All Blacks 15-12 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup. It was the first of a record four Rugby World Cup titles for the Springboks, who would go on to win the 2007 World Cup in France under captain John Smit and coach Jake White, the 2019 edition in Japan with Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus as skipper and coach, respectively, as well as the 2023 tournament in France with Kolisi and Jacques Nienaber at the helm. Anyone betting against the Springboks making it a hat-trick of titles – and five overall – in 2027 in Australia? That day – Saturday, 24 June 1995 – remains arguably the greatest ever sporting occasion in South Africa's history. So, what has happened to the starting XV from that unforgettable 1995 final? Tragically, five of the run-on team have died, along with coach Kitch Christie. 15. Andre Joubert 14. James Small (RIP) 13. Japie Mulder 12. Hennie le Roux 11. Chester Williams (RIP) 10. Joel Stransky 9. Joost van der Westhuizen (RIP) 8. Mark Andrews 7. Ruben Kruger (RIP) 6. Francois Pienaar (captain) 5. Hannes Strydom (RIP) 4. Kobus Wiese 3. Balie Swart 2. Chris Roussow 1. Os du Randt SUBSTITUTES 16. Naka Drotske 17. Brendan Venter 18. Rudolph Straeuli 19. Johan Roux 20. Garry Pagel 21. Gavin Johnson Coach: Kitch Christie (RIP)
