Ruan Pienaar has admitted that he has “mixed feelings” as he prepares for the final game of his career when the Cheetahs host Griquas in an SA Cup clash in Bloemfontein.
The veteran playmaker will hang up his boots after the ongoing SA Cup and take up the position as Free State U21 backline and attack coach.
Friday night’s derby will be the final game of Pienaar’s 20-year professional career, which started back in 2004 with the Sharks in Durban.
Speaking to OFM, the 40-year-old expressed his disbelief that his rugby journey – that has seen him win a World Cup, play 88 Tests for the Springboks, 141 games for Ulster and 28 matches for Montpellier – will be ending this weekend.
“I think it’s going to be a funny week and I really can’t believe it,” Pienaar told OFM.
“I know I’ve played rugby for a long time and it’s tough to think it’s all coming to an end now.
“I’ve got mixed feelings I guess, excited for what is coming next, but also, I’m sad that it’s all coming to an end, so it’s mixed feelings
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet, and I think next week I’ll probably start having time to reflect and look back on my career, so yeah it’s uh yeah going to be an interesting week.”
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
