Francois PIENAAR
FRANCOIS PIENAAR’S SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTSFrancois Pienaar was born and educated in the Transvaal and holds law degrees from the University of Johannesburg.
During his schools years, he represented South Africa in both rugby and cricket. His decision to choose the game of rugby over cricket was truly justified. He eventually captained a remarkable Transvaal side that went through the entire 1993 season undefeated; winning four competitions including the inaugural Super 10, no other rugby team has ever achieved this remarkable feat.
He went on to play for South Africa, captaining the side in his first match and in every one of his 29 appearances, culminating in the famous victory at the World Cup in 1995. He was acknowledged at that time as an inspiring leader, with an uncompromising approach to commitment. He has won many accolades, which include:
- South African Rugby player of the year 1993
- International Rugby player of the year 1994
- International Rugby Captain of the year 1995
- Rugby personality of the year nominated by the top 20 rugby writers in Britain in1996.
- Inducted into the International Hall of Fame in 2005
In 1996, he joined the Saracens Club in England and later became the first player/coach in game and later the CEO at Saracens. He helped to transform Saracens from an amateur to a very professional rugby club. Under Francois’s leadership they won their first ever trophy in 127 years. He received an honorary doctorate on 23 November 2000 from the University of Hertfordshire at the age of 33.
Francois was chosen to be the ambassador for Guinness and Visa, the main sponsors during the 1999 and 2004 Rugby World Cups. He was also part of the ITV Rugby World Cup commentary team and was twice nominated by the Royal Television Society for an award as best sports pundit. He has been the only amateur to receive such a nomination.
Six years later Francois and his family, his wife Nerine and boys Jean and Stephane, returned home to South Africa.
Francois was approached by the First Rand Group where he became head of sponsorships and strategic business development. In 2005, Francois was seconded by First National Bank as CEO for the 2011 Rugby World cup bid. Francois became Provincial Chairman of First National Bank in the Western Cape until 2009.
In March 2009 Francois was approached by the Indian Premier League to spearhead their marketing campaign in South Africa.
He left First Rand Bank to follow his passion for sport, media and entertainment and started Advent Sport Entertainment and Media (Pty) Ltd in 2009 in which First Rand Bank became a shareholder.
Francois is involved in numerous charities and was the founder of the Make A Difference (MAD) charitable organisation when he returned to SA.
Nelson Mandela said: “it was under his inspiring leadership that rugby became the pride of the entire country, his leadership extended beyond the field of rugby and he truly represents all South Africans. Under his inspiring leadership a nation was brought together.”
In 2009 Warner Brothers, under the direction of Clint Eastwood, produced the Oscar nominated movie “Invictus” focusing on the 1995 Rugby World cup in South Africa and how a once divided nation became world champions. Mandela’s role is played by Morgan Freeman and Francois is played by Matt Damon.