The Cheetahs used all possible avenues – including Ruan Pienaar’s inside information – to bring Frans Steyn back to Bloemfontein.
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Pienaar and Steyn were both schooled at Grey College and later played together for the Sharks, Springboks and Montpellier.
Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie has disclosed how Pienaar played a key role in the talks. He told Supersport.com Pienaar was instrumental in securing his former teammate’s signature for the Cheetahs.
‘When I joined the Cheetahs, MJ Smith [Cheetahs director of rugby] told me Frans wants to come back to Bloemfontein, wants to buy a house here and wants his children to go to school in Bloemfontein because that is where it all started,’ Fourie explained.
‘So, I made contact with his agent and Ruan Pienaar also helped a bit. Then I spoke to Rassie [Erasmus] to find out how SA Rugby sees the situation. Rassie was very supportive and also wanted Frans to come to Bloem to join us, and he helped us as well.’
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Fourie added Pienaar had provided him with some ‘inside info’ when it was needed to bring Steyn back to Bloemfontein.
‘The two of them played together at Montpellier, and they have been big mates since they were at school. They also played together for a long time at the Sharks. They are good friends.
‘Ruan helped me get in contact with Frans, and to negotiate the deal. He gave me some inside info sometimes. That helped a bit with the negotiations. He played his part,’ Fourie said.
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