Pienaar is angry with SA Rugby

RUAN Pienaar has lashed out at South African rugby authorities for not playing open cards with this country’s players about what may happen to the Cheetahs and Kings should this country’s rugby bosses opt to join Pro rugby in Europe from next year.

The rumours have been rife that SA Rugby will ditch Super Rugby and push for the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers to be included in an expanded Pro16 competition from 2021.

If this were to happen and the competition were to include just 16 teams, then the Cheetahs and Kings could lose out on Pro rugby – the competition they were forced to join when they were kicked out of Super Rugby four years ago.

Pienaar, who played 141 matches for Ulster before joining the Cheetahs last year, said it was extremely frustrating and disappointing that SA Rugby was not saying what their specific plans were for the future.

“We are of course all worried about our futures and especially here at the Cheetahs we don’t even know where we’ll be playing next year, or if we’ll be playing,” said the 36-yearold scrumhalf.

“There’s really been nothing much from SA Rugby’s side, which is frustrating.

“Are you telling me that none of them know what they want out of rugby next year?

“I believe there are hidden agendas at play and Covid-19 is being used to further those agendas.

“I understand that financially things are tough in the rugby world and some big decisions need to be made, but really, it would be terribly sad if the Cheetahs didn’t feature in a competition of international standard.

“This region has produced some of the best players this country has seen, so it is a very worrying time for us here in central South Africa.

“I just wish someone at SA Rugby would say what the plan is for the future – and be open about it.”

The 88-Test Springbok said he still had a few years left in him and that the nearly six months of not being able to play rugby because of Covid19 had proved to him he still has the fire and desire to play on.

“The time off has definitely given the body additional time to rest, which could prolong my career a bit, but what the time away from the game really showed me is that I still have the fire in me to keep going,” he said.

“I love the game, I love the competition, and I’m still healthy. So, for as long as I wake up every day and want to play, I will. It’s when it becomes a drag that I’ll consider given it up.”

And Pienaar said that making matters worse right now was the fact that rugby had started up in New Zealand, Australia and in Europe, where some of his old mates are back in action in the Pro14 and Premiership.

“I’m definitely a bit jealous.”